You have to be a carnivore, but if eating meat is ok with you, then you couldn't do better. La Luna is a bit of a north Carlton institution. The food is simply....wonderful. Service exemplary.... friendly and competent. It's pricey, but that's to be expected for a bistro of this calibre. Give it a try! I
Great food and service! Back again for what seemed to be an anxious dinner, could they live up to their previous great food and service? Yes they did! The service is friendly and attentive without being over the top. The restaurant was full and bustling with conversation yet comfortable to have a conversation at your own table without yelling. We started with plates to share, the scallops, roasted eggplant, duck liver parfait and the beef tartar. They were all great with the beef tartar and the parfait being standouts for flavour. Our mains consisted of Butchers cut, the Duck in confit and pappadella with pork that were all mouth watering and well presented. To finish we settled for Creme Brulle and the special, the Mousse. It's not a cheap meal but it's not overly expensive either and you do get quality, presentation all wrapped up in a lovely environment. Really worth a visit.
The best eat out e experience in 2019. Was my first visit back in Nov 2019. We met a perfect model staff. She offered to change our seat coz the sun was affecting our table. She took time to explain their menu and recommended really good desserts. She kept checking on us but not annoyingly. She also offered to show us their “back stage”! The food was great. Really well prepared steak and tasty dessert tasting place. Must go back!
I for the most part really enjoyed dining at La Luna. The ambience was great and the service I’d had to say was immaculate, our server explained every dish thoroughly and was very attentive of our needs.My favourite dish of the night has got to be the beef tartare, it was perfectly balanced and didn’t taste gamey at all. I would be back for just this dish alone.
However every other dish that night just didn’t leave me satisfied. I would have to say that it was just okay in flavour and tenderness. My duck was abit on the dry side, and the steak lacked seasoning. I would definitely not order the salad or chips again, considering they are $9 per side I just couldn’t justify that price point for what we were served.
This is a great restaurant for a special occasion. The meals we had were amazing and the staff were very friendly. Would definitely recommend this place.
Stumbled across this place while browsing for great place for steak. Didn't know it is owned by a celebrity chef. Food is overall very yummy. Lovely steak tartare and to die for pasta gnocchi. Great wine selections as well. Had a very pleasant dining experience here.
Absolutely delicious! I have been here three times and the food has been amazing every occasion. The steak is amazing and well cooked as were the sides the desserts are amazing too - will definitely be back
The restaurant looks old school.
The food was very tasty.
- the gnocchi was very"tasty (sometimes abit too tasty become abit salty)
- the steak has very"nice charred when warm but when cold it taste abit burnt
Sides was very generous
The tiramisu was nice (i like it with more coffee punch)
Absolutely delicious!! Fantastic meal we had tonight. Everything was so delicious except their prawn wasnt as fresh as it should be. Apart from that we love everything we had tonight. Gnocchi was melt in your mouth. Lovely service by Derrick too! Would be back for sure.
I want to give La Luna 4.5, but of course you cannot on here. If you’re looking for a good steak in a dimly lit, cosy and intimate venue - this is a very good option. My partner opted for the fillet Mignon, and it was cooked exceptionally with lovely crispy bacon or pancetta, and the quality was high; for $49 it was good value. I opted for the porterhouse 300gr; cafe de Paris butter was on point, good steak. The sides of the garlic butter kipfler potatoes and sautéed spinach with chilli and garlic were both nice additions. The chocolate pave’ for dessert was tremendous. The honeycomb was a good contrast to the rich chocolate pave’ and cut through with chocolate mouse and raspberry sauce. I will return to try other steaks on the menu, this to me is a great midweek venue to enjoy a quiet dinner.
Very happy with the service and quality at La Luna last night. We've been coming here for years now and everytime was a grand experience. We could not give enough praise for our waiter of the night (unfortunate that he did not introduce his name), he was very attentive and followed through with all of our requests.
The entree was amazing, oysters were freshly shucked, accompanied with a variety of cured meats with pickled onions and olives and croutons.
Our steaks were soft like butter, green bean was crunchy. I did have to put the steak back in for extra minutes because it was on the rare side rather than medium rare.
The night was finished off with a dessert for one, good balance of sweet and sorbet.
Overall dinner made our night
This was an absolute find. We went after seeing the menu online and wanting a nice steak. The butchers cut was excellent and well seasoned and the portions of accompanying green beans was good. We got a side of spinach was perfect, no grittiness. Oh, make sure you save room for dessert. We got the sample which was billed as for 2 people. There were 6 treats on the platter, easily shareable for 4 or more. Really great. Highly recommended!
Have eaten at La Luna a couple of times in the past and love the cozy atmosphere. The staff is fantastic, very polite and knows how to make customers feel special.
The food has always been delicious and the only reason I am taking off a star is the 1kg steak. There was nothing wrong with the way it’s been cooked or flavor of it and $85 for a steak that size is more than fair, however, the quality of the steak was poor and it was so chewy that we did not end up eating much of it. There was nothing the chef could have done better with that piece of meat, it was just a poor quality cut and I believe the restaurant would be better of removing the item of their menu as it’s like trying to make cardboard taste good.
Overall definitely one of my favorite places to go and I can’t wait to come again.
Went to this place as we were planning for quite sometime. Staff very friendly & welcoming.
Retro vintage\homely ambiance.
We ordered Filet Minion , pasta & a sausage dish.
Omg this is the pinnacle of Aussie beef has to offer perfectly cooked dish that I have tried in my life.
It absolutely justified the glowing brain of me after seen the prices of dishes.
Beef just so tender & melts in your mouth. Sauce has rich caramely taste with hints of red wine, rich pungent fruity notes & butteriness. This rich taste of beef perfectly compensated by the perfectly cooked green beans. It was crunchy and not overly cooked green beans that perfect match in the dish.
Sausage was good & was perfectly harmonies with the garlicky potato aioli.
Omg ppl I am not going to explain any more. This should be must try on your list. Taste, quality ingredients, service, ambiance against price I would give 4.7* out of 5
Great venue, great service and great food. An excellent venue and the food has a wonderful
Balance of different flavors. The menu is obviously very meat and rich food heavy - but if that is what you are going for, I would strongly recommend
Great service and a wide drinks list, some interesting and unusual wines.
Food is done well and with care, very fresh and good specials each day, the steak was excellent.
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The steaks at this restaurant are phenomenal! I wish Zomato could let you do half stars, because I really want to give this place 4.5 ⭐️. Despite been touted as an Italian restaurant they’re definitely got a good game going with their meats.
Came for a dinner catchup with a large group and the restaurant was very accommodating, even with a baby in tow and we proceeded to eat a lot of food. We had antipasti and cheese plates to start which were very enjoyable; and most of us got stuck into steaks for dinner. Hubby had the hanger meat with chimmichurri and I had the Filet Mignon, which was cooked to perfection and melted in your mouth. The sides are on par with the rest of the food here; and then hubby and I shared the dessert taster to finish the meal. The creme brûlée and ice cream where excellent, but I found the brownie perhaps a bit too dense and rich for my liking.
All in all, an excellent restaurant with great service- it does come with a hefty price tag but is worth the splurge for some excellent food.
The pig ears were magic. Steak perfectly cooked. Splendid wine.
What stood out to me was that this place is one of the rare hospitality experiences where service is helpful, non instrusive and weren't salespeople.
Happy staff who worked as a great team.
An incredibly well run restaurant. Congratulations team!
Treated my husband as a Father's day gift! First time and loved it! Ordered the specials and the fish of the day was magnificent! Service was wonderful, thank you Jo! Will definitely go back.
Amazing. Been coming to this place for over a decade and the most recent meal I’ve had there was the best so far. Delicious entrees, main and dessert.
Even better than the last time. We booked a last minute business dinner on Tuesday night. I have been going to La Luna for the last 10 or so years.
My only problem is that I order the same thing every time. The crackling wrapped loin of pork. I try and look at other items on the menu and we always try different starters (this time we had a mixture of salami and prosciutto). But getting back to the pork, every time I have it, it is better than the last, but this time it was Phenomenal. I don't know what it was but it was perfection. The best I have ever had as were the sides and the wine. Our client had the rib eye 500gm 60 day aged steak and he said it was the best steak he has ever had. I must mention our waitress for the evening was fantastic, attentive and funny. Overall an amazing night, today one our clients from interstate told us she is coming to Melbourne soon and we said we have the perfect place to take her for dinner. See you soon guys. I can't wait.
Tick, tick, tick! If Italy had a national pub this would be it! Modern yet pays plenty of homage to its heritage, the menu has Italian inspired dishes that make you feel like you are in someone's kitchen. You can taste the quality in the ingredients used here. Service is efficient and unobtrusive.
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Will come back for:
+ Crispy Pig’s Ears
+ Rib Eye Steak
+ Slow cooked Lamb shoulder
+ House Fries
+ Mezze Plate
It’s hard not to list everything that I would come back for at Laluna’s. We came here as a pretty large group, so we got to share quite a bit. We ordered the shared plate of small goods, which was a good start. The crispy pig’s ears were a surprising hit. Crunchy, moorish and delicious. The fish of the day (fried snapper) was fresh and delicate, but the meats were the star by far. The rib eye was cooked to perfection, tender, succulent and charred just right and served with a selection of mustards. The lamb shoulder just fell apart, crunchy on the outside, and buttery on the inside. The house fries too were fabulous. Cut thin for that extra crunch, lightly salted and with the skin on for extra flavor and goodness. We finished the meal sharing the mezze of desserts which was delightful (especially the tiramisu). Service was good, but the price is definitely fine dining level. Will definitely be back!
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Came here for the meats, stayed for the fries. The fries were so amazing that we just had to order another serve even though we were quite full from the meat, and saving our tummies for dessert. Deep fried to a golden perfection, they were a wonderful mix of crunchiness and softness.
The rib eye steak was moist and tender, with a rich marbling of fat that gave it a beautiful flavour. In my friend's word, "The steak is awesome!". The crackling roast pork was another delight. The combination of the crisp crackling and the juicy pork resulted in a dish to remember. The lamb shoulder by itself wasn't anything much, a bit dry and under-seasoned, but when combined with the coriander, it gave the lamb another dimension of flavour.
The sauteed spinach and crisped brussel sprouts were just alright, we ordered them to feel less naughty about feasting on so much meats and carbs. As was with the sides, the desserts were rather average, save and except for the silky panna cotta and the lusciously rich chocolate pudding. The creme brulee was a tad too runny, and the ricotta cheesecake was overpowered by the poached pears and candied nuts.
Lovely intimate yet casual vibe, and the service throughout the night was incredibly warm and accommodating. Fresh cut chillies were graciously provided as per our request, and when a wrong dessert was delivered to us, it was given to us free of charge and the correct dessert swiftly served to us.
The meal was definitely on the more expensive side, and even more so since we ordered 3 mains, 4 sides, 4 (plus 1 free) desserts and 2 bottles of red.
What a great night, my wife and I were last here two years ago and it was just as good this time if not better. Apart from the very loud table next to us we totally enjoyed the night👍👍
We had my husbands 30th upstairs yesterday for lunch from the food to the service everything was perfect. The food was delicious. The staff were very helpful and very friendly . I had the fillet mingon perfectly cooked. I forgot to take a pic .
Super enjoyable and relaxed dining experience. Had the rib eye steak which was mouth watering and cooked to perfection. There's a nice warmth and ambience to La Luna, and you certainly don't feel rushed, the service is exemplary and not intrusive. The dessert share plate was delicious also. Not a cheap night out but somewhere I'd save for a special occasion for sure.
Came here for fathers day a while ago, my dad is a huge steak eater and hard to impress and he loved it. Steaks are cooked to perfection, the hanger is my go to when I come here and is loaded with flavour, however all the other steaks are great from the feedback ive received. Definitely a go to place, make sure you book in advance.
Went for the MFWF sucking pig feast. It was the most amazing thing I had ever been to! I’m lost for words. The pictures speak for themselves...
A lovely restaurant in a nice setting. A classic brasserie style menu with a focus on steak. Definately one of the best steaks I’ve ever eaten. Service is very good and the wine list is fantastic.
Amazing steak! Would come back all the time !! Cooked perfectly and everything else was delicious. Love the side dishes with the mains those were 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
In my opinion, best steak in Melbourne. We were lucky enough to have garlic prawns as an entree, they were finger licking good. The whole night was great. Staff were top notch and it was nice to see Richo enjoy a beer at the bar. Be back again and again.
had the rib eye, butchers cut, fries, broccoli and carrots. everything was good! the rib eye in particular. the seasoning was great & real tasty. different from a purist steakhouse like Charcoal Grill on the Hill where it’s just a good steak with no sauce. all in all really yummy meal!
We came to La Luna for a friend’s birthday dinner with a group of six.
I had the 400 gram rump (which was unsurprisingly very big, but manageable) which was perfectly done, as were the dishes of the others I ate with. A number of the group had the Filet Mignon which was unanimously well received.
Of the sides, the broccoli was the stand out, although all were of a good standard.
The service was professional and all and all it was not too expensive, coming to around $100 a person with a few bottles of Shiraz and digestif consumed.
Great food, exceptional service provides for a highly recommended rating. Apart from the delicious food & generous serving sizes, the staff created a great experience.
Nice atmosphere. Lighting was a little too dark and it was too noisy-you have to shout to the person beside you.
The oysters were superb. We had the rump steak and pork loin crackling for mains and they were superb.
The waitress we had was lovely. Though they could be a little more attentive with filling up water.
Loved this place. Only complaint is that I couldn’t fit more in.
Went for my birthday with hubby. Welcoming and relaxed feel, great food.
The bacon wrapped scotch fillet is the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth. Desserts were classics and did not disappoint - creme brûlée was a winner for us.
Cocktails - Apple, ginger, green chilli martini ( especially) and slow gin fizz were delish and we’re a fan of a cheeky grandfather port.
If you like classics done to perfection, with no pretentiousness, come here.
You won’t be disappointed.
I go every year for my birthday and I am happy to say that I will return (at least once a year) Food is done well and presentation is fantastic, too many good options on the menu made it hard. Good and extensive selection of wines (not many by the glass though) and digestives. Service is attentive, never had an empty glass of water or wine on the table. I will go more often if I could afford it.
Ill start with it was my birthday.
The service was very attentive. The menu was very inviting....proper scenery...dim lights....all guests well behaved...came highly recommended.
End result....my main hanger steak was faboulous, fillet mignon was tender...all the wines chosen by waiter. The desserts where nice...we shared the chefs platter..
Bad choice...too many flavours for 1 dessert wine.
The problem was starters....i was hooked on tartare and pig ears....
Pig ears tasted like Honey Lemon chicken from the good local chinese shop. The tartare was lacking in freshness. The duck confit...tasted like creme fraiche, even though i love creme fraiche in an omelette...but that is where it stops.
I expected much more.for the taste
All.in all....faboulous restaurent....maybe ill try the pork next time. I gave it 4 star, but only because of the service
Thanks
I have been here many many times at it is always excellent. Garlic prawns, garlic green beans, steak, burgers, slow cooked lamb all delicious.
Great service, all the staff were super friendly. Definitely recommend the tasting plate👌🏻
Steak was cooked to exactly how you asked as well.
Yohanes Satria Julianto
+5
My favourite steak place in Melbourne ! A very nice service by all the waitress! Try the meat plater ! Theyre home made and crazy delicious!
Maybe I just expected too high. The atmosphere is great and foods are okay. But the service is just so so. With this range of price, I have had better steaks and service in other place. So there is more disappointed overall.
Dim lighting, peaceful music and attentive staff. The bacon croquettes are a must. Soft, creamy and flavoursome. Ribs with chilli and asian slaw is average. The gnocchi is amazing. Soft and the nuts and pumpkin compliment to add a mix of flavour. Rump steak is tender and well flavoured. Shoe fries are unique with a hint of spice. To finish off, the sticky date pudding was unique with sultanas inside. Although overly sweet, the sour cream, fruit and crumble balanced the sweetness.
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Decor = 8
Food = 9
Coffee = N/A
Price = 8
Service = 7
Walking into this establishment I didn't mind the casual decor - there was nothing special or any wow factor, but I felt comfortable being in there.
My partner and I ordered the small goods taste plate, pickles, olives, croutons etc to share and we loved it! Eating the different pickles, olives etc individually were great, but once you mixed and match onto a crouton...bang it was fantastic! Having said that for the price we paid, I would have expected a bit more quantity.
Again my partner and I shared the 1kg slow cooked lamb shoulder, coriander, parsley and pickle salad as well as the Roasted carrots, whipped feta, dukkah (side dish). Firstly the lamb was falling off the bone and serving it up with the mash potato and jus was excellent. Mixing the lamb with the roasted carrots, feta and dukkah took it to another level. The quantity Vs quality Vs price for the main was reasonable.
In regards to the service, I felt that one of the team members was rushing us and therefore didn't provide a good service as I felt uncomfortable everytime they always approached us because they spoke quickly when taking the order etc. But, the other team member who also served us was very friendly, upbeat and had a great sense of humour.
Overall I would come back here again especially on another cold, wet and rainy day.
Absolutely delicious!
Bistro staff were wonderful!
We loved the oysters, tartare, rib eye and italian wine recommended by the beautiful staff at the bistro.
Thank you for a lovely evening and we will be there again 😊
Entrees blew us away. Mains and dessert were strong but not incredible. Attentive staff with a great, intimate ambience. Great date location
Garlic prawns for entree is a must , Amazing rump steak and the fish was a hit , creme brûlée was the best on the desert menu .... I'd definitely go back if I'm in the area
Amazing restaurant! Every dish was extremely tasty, standout dish was the steak and fish. We made room to fit in those lovely desserts and we are glad we did. I'll be back soon :)
Good little place on Carlton. Very good food, loved the dry aged ribeye and fillet mignon. Their desert was great. However, the staffs are not friendly.
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A chilling day in Melbourne,
My friends and I visited La Luna on quite a typical day of Melbourne this season. We were greeted at the door by a warm smile from the waiter, a good start.
We ordered oysters, prociutto and pork sausage. They were all great. I personally really liked the sausage. We had steaks for mains. They were all beautifully cooked but if the porterhouse cut were a bit thinner, that'd be perfect. A side of fries was a good idea too.
I wanted to try creme brulee for dessert but I wouldn't be able to finish (no matter how small it might be :), so I decided to share classic tiramisu which I heard this place is well known for and It did not disappoint. The flavour was exceptional, the texture was thicker than usual as they used cake (not spongy lady fingers) but I have to say, that was an excellent finish for our meal.
It's quite pricey but I really think it's up to our expectation for La Luna. Our waiter was very friendly and efficient. It was a great experience for my one-day Melbourne trip.
One small suggestion, a taste of wine before pouring would be nice.
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This was a genuinely excellent experience. I would not hesitate to recommend this.
The service was impeccable and intelligent. By intelligent, I mean that it read the mood of our table and paced accordingly with food and drink. The knowledge and enthusiasm of the staff was how it should be - and what is missing from so many other places.
As for the food - A+. We ordered the chefs selection menu. It's not cheap - but it is excellent value and I think very well priced for the quality.
The entrees were unique and delicious. I travel for good ribs - and these took the prize for 2017. The main courses were full, well prepared and tasty. You couldn't fault the porterhouse, the pork had great crackle and ample sauce to offset some of the leaner parts of the loin and a braised chuck was just loaded with flavour.
As for dessert - this was a tasting plate at a standard to be followed. I'm not sure what the dish was, but there was a lemony custard that just stole the show. Every other dessert was great too.
We had two bottles of some nice win and left with a bill of $300 for the food for 3 people and all agreed it was one the best Melbourne meals we have had in ages.
Well done. We will absolutely be back and will spread the word.
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Our family returned to La Luna to celebrate my wife’s birthday. As usual, it was an excellent choice, as always, and is one of life’s great pleasures to dine there.
The family group of six decided to do a “sharing” meal - La Luna are very generous with their portions - so there is more than sufficient to go around. Of course, as a big meat eater, a steak, by itself, with the sides of vegetables, etc. offered is superb. And let’s face it - meat is the big strength of La Luna.
The entrees we shared were plump and juicy garlic prawns - always a favourite, and succulent, natural oysters - such a pleasurable way to commence the dining experience - delightful to enjoy as a seafood lover.
And so to the main courses - a mixture here, with Carole and I enjoying the pork - crackling wrapped loin of roast pork, braised red cabbage, juniper and macadamia - great to eat, very flavoursome, tender and succulent. The others enjoyed the Filet Mignon (bacon wrapped), spinach, carrots, pepperonata & red wine jus, and Porterhouse, spinach, carrots, pepperonata & red wine jus. All were more than happy with their choices. We chose sides of a bowl of splendid Crushed Potatoes, and those first class Mushrooms with Garlic Butter - superb and right up my alley.
Fitting desserts in will always be a problem, so we shared a mezze plate of deserts, which suited all of us well - so many delicious morsels were presented - which one to pick was the problem each of us faced. But, we were eventually happily, satiated.
It's an excellent dining restaurant, especially if you love your meat - steaks are fantastic.
We all had ample wine to wash down the meal, chosen from their well put together wine list. If you are thirsty, I suggest one of the Pimms cocktails to commence to knock the thirst on the head
Portions are generous, and the food is very fresh and of first class quality as you expect from a restaurant of this quality.
It's not cheap, but then again, you do not go there for cheap meals - it doesn't happen with La Luna's quality and standards.
As always, the waiter service is excellent - hard to fault and very obliging no matter your request.
Having said all that, we all just felt a little polish had worn off the crown. The crown could do with the application of a little polish to bring it back.
But, in spite of that comment, La Luna remains my Number 1 choice of restaurants in Melbourne and the metropolitan area - it's marvellous!
Nice atmosphere, good wine and tasty steak. I think I would rate a bit higher if the prices weren't edging towards fine dining scales, but would go back.
Rated as one of the best places in Melbourne for steak. The steak was cooked to perfection. Had a 1kg t bone and the fiilet mignon. On the sides had the fried pigs ear and croquet. The croquet was quite pricey for such a small serving---plus it was nothing special.
The potatoes fried in chicken fat (unhealthy..but for a special occasion its worth the calories!) Prices are abit on the high side but it is worth every cent...very good quality of beef.
The ambiance is very nice with lovely waiters. Low lights its very cosy place to dine. Calling ahead is recommended.
Overall I would recommend this place for special occasions or if you fancy a good piece of delicious red meat
Have waited a long time to come here and well worth the wait! Nice restaurant with good service, but the food was top notch! The lamb filo pie was super tasty and the garlic prawns were beautiful. Rib Eye was a ripper, well cooked, super tasty!
Michele selected La Luna based on the reviews of the steak which she did order.
The decor was very nice but the chairs were particularly uncomfortable, it was enough for me to want to leave early without any coffee.
Had a nice G&T to start of, the gin was a new one to me "Monkey 47" and it was very good. Can recommend.
For entree I had the gnocchi which were beautifully prepared and very tasty.
For main course I had the special of the day, flounder in butter, should have been called flavourless flounder. I often pick a special as it often a new dish that is being tried out for addition to the regular menu and regularly are very good, not today. It was well cooked but just boring.
Michele and Garnet were both happy with their meals.
The service was amazing just from the initial booking, the staff are very professional and friendly, great atmosphere and the food is absolutely beautiful. Have been a great fan of Adrian and his cooking for a number of years, was not disappointed in eating at his restaurant. Bring on the great work guys. Salt loves meat and meat loves salt, seriously just amazing, have never had a better steak elsewhere. We are coming back for sure.
This is the best meal we have in Melbourne. Garlic prawns, rump, creme brûlée, and tiramisu! Service also perfect. Will definitely recommend my friend to visit here.
I took my husband here for his birthday. From when we walked in until the end of the night we felt welcomed and looked after. We had the 'feast' which was a FEAST!! Very generous amount of food, and every plate was beautifully cooked and yummy!!! Even though we were a couple, it's a great venue for all group sizes. We will be returning again.
Great food, service and experience though prices were a bit high. Disappointed with the dessert share plate as when it came out it was not what we were informed we would get, and most desserts on it were a bit plain.
Just changed my rating after seeing other people's photos of the dessert share plate, which is what we should have got! Really disappointed now.
It was a nice lunch experience on the Valentines's Day💕. The steaks are juicy and tender. My husband ordered the 550g rib eye and I ordered 300g porterhouse steak. The green bean on the side is fresh. What amazed me was the dessert mezze is so good. I like them all.
Magical night! Food, service and ambiance was amazing. We had the pleasure of attending a 40th at La Luna.
Pros
- Food was divine! Especially enjoyed the salmon (entree), duck (main) and brûlée/brownie (dessert).
- service was so friendly and helpful (especially attentive as I was on crutches).
- we enjoyed the larger private room.
Cons
- closing time was around midnight!
Will definitely recommend and visit the venue again!!!
It is hard to imagine any steak could be better than the filet mignon I ate here at La Luna Bistro. I would definitely recommend La Luna to anyone looking for a delicious and memorable dinner.
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Arrived at la Luna on a Sunday evening for dinner with the wife and kids. My youngest (12yrs old) is a real foodie and loves to take photos of food, was most excited. We enjoy watching Adrian's cooking shows, so I kind of knew that the food would good. Started with sharing some bread and balsamic oil. Then shared some entries-garlic prawns and ribs. Prawns were flavorful and cooked to perfection. Ribs were melt in the mouth fantastic-could have eaten them all night or smashed out a dozen. My 12 yr old ordered 550 rib eye, as I did. My 17 yr old had eye fillet and wife, the burger. All I can say is that you didn't need a steak knife to cut the steak. It was like butter. The pepperonata was awesome. I never tasted a better pepperonatta than My mum Inlaws, but this came soooo close.
We were about to sit down to coffee and dessert when Adrian walked in. I asked for a photo with him and he didn't hesitate, he even took me through the kitchen and showed me where he ages his meat. What an awesome gentlemen. The dessert mezze was a great way to end a great meal. The wait staff were friendly, polite and helpful. Can't wait to eat there again. My family couldn't fault it.
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Can't fault any dish!
By noon on a Friday we called to book and were given a table for two at 8:30. When we arrived we were welcomed and quickly sitted at a table in the middle.
To start the night we ordered the garlic prawn, which were suggested by Zomato. It was delicious! The prawns were fresh, firm, and tasted great. The butter garlic sauce was on point, not too heavy or fatty. The portion was perfect for two people.
The next dish was the 550gram rib-eye steak grilled to medium rare which was again delectable. The meat was tender, well-marinated, and cooked right to your preference. The red wine jus was probably one of the best we have tasted in a while.
The third dish was the burger which was also tasty. The patty was juicy and marinated excellently. The veggies were fresh and went really well with the pickles. The buns were slightly crunchy and texturally great. The chips were crunchy and not oily.
To finish the night we ordered the creme brûlée as dessert. It was slightly more pricey than other places but it did taste great. We like the fact that the sugar on top was slightly more burnt than usual with a hint of lemon which gave a light tangy/sweet taste. The custard was also not too sweet.
Can't fault this place. Atmosphere, service, food, wine selection (no need to bring anything from our cellar) location all on point. Time & time again this restaurant delivers. Looking forward to holding our Xmas get together at Adrian's new venture which is also excellent
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This was our third visit to La Luna and we were grateful for a table as a last minute booking - originally told we would be upstairs we were pleasantly surprised to be seated at a window near the front - my mother in law in tow who expressed her fanatical appreciation of Adrian and a long term desire to eat at his restaurant was obliged a photo with the famous chef. The meals were mostly lovely although the filet Mignon was served rare as opposed to medium rare - which was probably the last place we expected this to happen. For the most part the staff were very pleasant however the restaurant did appear to be either understaffed or at least a little disorganised. We were served by almost four different people during the meal - wine glasses went unfilled from a bottle of wine, water glasses left empty, asked if we wanted dessert when the mains were yet to arrive and finished plates sat a little too long for a restaurant of this level of reputation. Eventually we were offered the option for the steak to be complimentary or a dessert after the third waitress became aware of the issue. It was still a lovely meal and enjoyable night for all, but I do believe the staff need more assistance to serve customers at a slightly higher level than what we enjoyed tonight.
Came here with friends and a nice bottle of Penfolds Grange and, oh my god!
Everything was beautifully complimented. Steaks were fantastic and although it's always challenging following a wine like Grange. The atmosphere, wine, cheese and then whiskey amounts to a fantastic afternoon. Thanks guys for letting us stay to enjoy the day.
Unfortunately our experience was a little disappointing. Service was good with a few errors. We had the Small goods Taster for start, the meat was delicious but a few more crackers were needed.
Main, we both had fillet Mignon. It came with a side of green beans and a jus.
Sides we had potato in duck fat and the chard salad.
Beans and potatoes were pumping hot and to our great disappointment the steaks were stone cold.
Ask the waitress if they could be heated, when she came back she gave us the wrong steaks, so had to swap.
The potatoes were undercooked with no crunch at all and slightly hard in the middle.
Dessert we had tiramisu. Very nice!
Service was apologetic and to our surprise took the steaks off the bill.
I definitely would come back again to hopefully experience the wow factor I was looking for.
I booked a table for myself and my boyfriend to have dessert for his birthday. The staff were incredibly obliging and managed to give us a table even though it was the night before Father's Day and we were only having dessert. They even offered to write on the plate for me!
When we arrived they were so sweet and attentive. Couldn't fault the service!
On top of that the desserts we ordered were amazing. All my boyfriend wanted was Creme Brûlée and he was not disappointed. We got the dessert platter to share. The brownie was a little fudge like and too rich to finish, but everything was scrapped clean off the plate!!
Wonderful! Strongly recommendation this restaurant to yours!!!!!!!! Environment, service and steaks are sooooo good! Order Rump, Rib eye maybe are good choices! definitely visit there next times.
A well earned 5-star rating both in service & food. They were very accomodating even letting hubby (birthday boy) take a pic with Richo himself & letting my aspiring chef daughter tour the kitchen after service. Chef's Feast with matching wine was as satisfying as it was beautifully presented. Highlight was definitely the steak main, but honestly could not fault anything. Even all four kids enjoyed their pasta and dessert. Will definitely recommend & will be back to try their duck dish
Loved this restaurant. Its probably one of my fave. in Melbourne. Couldnt fault the dishes we ordered. And staff were amazingly friendly. Cant wait my next visit there.
This place came recommended by a chef who said their steak was pretty good... He was right!
We had the "chefs plates" $98 each, well worth the money, so many things to try.
we had prosciutto which was beautiful only thing missing was a cracker or bread a whole plate of prosciutto is a lot but it was very tasty. Terrine was yum. Garlic prawns perfect! The pig ears.... Best things ever! Steak - amazing! Duck - beautiful. Salad was really good & the huge serve of home made fries were yum! There servings were very generous and we left very content.
Dessert was chocolate brownies, plum & chocolate icecream & creme brûlée. They all hit the spot, my only suggestion to the kitchen is try warming up the brownie, I reckon it would taste even better!
The staff & service was really good, we were running late & we had a baby, nothing was a problem.
Thanks so much La Luna we loved it!
Had birthday dinner here with family, the food was okay, pork belly was not that nice, steak was not bad,sausage was okay, gnocchi fail, prawn was yummy, charcutterie was okay (not enough crusty bread to eat it with), croquettes was okay and the service was fast. Overall with the price that they charge, it was only an okay experience, as their food was overall nice but had better one elsewhere. Wont rushing back soon.
Came here to try their well known cold meat platter and steak! Firstly, I recommend reservations as the venue was a little smaller than I thought. Great ambience, dimmed lights, friendly staff - the food was as expected, absolutely delicious. Both entrees were on point, loved the variety of cold meats they had and the pickled onions accompanied it so well (I normally hate onions and I loved it), the steaks were cooked to perfection 'medium rare', the creme brulee had the perfect crack to it, a little too burnt than caramelised though. Would definitely come back!
Tried their 60 days aged beef 400g rib eyes and rump steaks, 2 big pieces of good quality aged beef can feed 4 ladies plus two entries. No complaints LOL
Visited at the request of a friend who had been waiting forever to try it out. Staff were very friendly on arrival and tried to reccomend a good wine, although I don't think they actually had a clue, surprising considering the size of the list. I had a lamb ragout pasta and my friends had rolled pork. We all loved our meals. We ordered a variety of desserts which were absolutely delightful (although we regretted later as we were sooo full!). After our desserts arrived the wait staff seemed to be a little scarce although still friendly enough when we asked for the bill and gave me a box for my leftover brownies (divine). Has a cosy atmosphere and has a great range on the menu.
The steak is delicious. I had a medium rare rib eye, and it melted on my tongue, no kidding. I thought this beef must be aged at least 5 weeks? And you know what, they age their beef for 12 weeks! 12! Oh my god. And only $50?? I will definitely be coming back for more. And the desserts are delicious too.
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A full night of high quality food. This is fine dining in the inner suburbs.
This place is well known for its cured meats, and although we were tempted to go for a tasting platter of assorted meats, we went for a prosciutto appetiser. Delish and not too filling.
For mains we ordered the fillet mignon wrapped in bacon with green beans, and the homemade pasta with braised rabbit ragout. The steak was was nicely cooked as you would expect, but the pasta was really a cut above - it was rich, but the flavours, texture, and ingredient proportions were just right.
Dessert was tiramisu and chocolate pudding - if I'm being over-critical the chocolate pudding was a little blackened around the perimeter, but otherwise both were very good.
The only reason for not giving a 4.5 was that this place is on the upper end of the price scale, and probably a little upward of what you would expect. Pricey is fine, but it's just at that point where alternatives for the same outlay mean that La Luna will not always win out. But enough of that - La Luna is a great restaurant where it is all about the food.
Beautiful ! Amazing ! Soooo gooooood !!!! We had the rump and the flavours were incredible. Not only the food is good but great service too. Can't wait to come back for more again and again !
I won't lie I had a high expectation of this place in terms of food and service, however it exceeded all my expectations!
The staff were fantastic! They were all very friendly and attentive and had an extensive knowledge of the menu. They made you feel like you were part of a family and really took care of you. The food was AMAZING!!!
We had crispy pigs ears and let me tell you this is now one of my favourite dishes and foods now of all time. They were amazing and if you did not know what they were you would have no idea you were eating pigs ears. Then for main I had pasta and my husband had steak and the potatoes. We loved our mains. We said no dessert but then the menu came out and we could not help ourselves. I had the pudding and my husband had the platter for one which had some wicked caramel ice cream, a brownie and creme brulee. All awesome. We can not wait to come here. This place was fantastic. I want more pigs ears!!!
What a pleasure to dine at La Luna! I normally would never order pasta because nothing compares to my Mum's pasta sauce, but Adrian Richardson has won me over. If you are after exceptional fresh food with lashings of homemade love, this is the place for you. From the moment you sit down and your friendly waitress confidently introduces you to the specials, you know that you are in for a meaty treat. The wine list is also impressive, boasting fabulous Australian favourites with a dash of European notables. When I visited I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with Adrian himself. I great bloke who is down to earth and openly passionate about homemade food with the freshest ingredients. He was out the back watering his vege patch at the time! Can't rate this place high enough, it's on my favourite list!
Calling all meat lovers! If you have not yet visited LaLuna in Carlton, owned by chef Adrian Richardson, you are seriously missing out. Croquettes with bacon mayonnaise (yes you read that right BACON mayonnaise), house cured meats and pickles, house made ragu and pasta...its definitely a favorite. They specialise in their meats and offer a range of steak cuts that are delicious and cooked to perfection. This is not the first time I have visited LaLuna. The very first time I went they had a Five Meet Bolognaise on the menu which was fantastic, although i can not remember now what those five meats were...i do remember its rich and full flavour. This definitely won't be the last time I visit.
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Try as I may, I cant find my review notes or pictures from the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, La Luna's Suckling Pig event. Given its been a few weeks, relying on my memory and 3 pictures from my partners phone will have to suffice.
I have only eaten there as part of the Food and Wine Festival and both times have been absolutely brilliant. Probably the best $100 I've spent.
The menu is deceptively simple, but thats the beauty of something like a suckling pig feast, gorgeous, top quality, perfect cooked/prepared meats etc that showcase the produce. The entrees are a perfect example of this. Simple twists like bacon butter on bacon and onion bread. Its not bacon overload its hints and tastes coming through. The simplicity but perfection of top quality smallgoods as a starter is sensational. and proof of quality is that lombardo and Braun (yes braun is headcheese. get over it. if it looks good try it).
The rest of the meal is a haze of deliciousness. Each new part complimenting the star, the perfect pig. Crunchy pigs ears (seriously with the sweet balsamic chilli it would make the most awesome beer snack in the world - move over buffalo wings), meltingly tender cheeks, perfect fluffy pig fat potatoes... the list goes on.
No this is not a meal you eat one a week or one a month, but once a year is well worth it.
The Furphy Ale is a little bit of a miss for me but I can live with that. After all im not here for the beer. The wine is really well paired though. Very enjoyable
The last bonus is you've got Adrian who is a real character and loves what he does and really respects the animal for what it provides us.
As I admitted, havent eaten at La Luna other than for the MFWF but I really do need to remedy that.
Get to the 2017 MFWF event at La Luna if nothing else.
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My partner and I had one of our best dining out experiences ever at this beautiful hidden gem - our evening meal was the perfect experience. Not only does the restaurant have a glowing and cosy atmosphere, the staff are very friendly and accommodating, and the food is some of the finest in Melbourne.
For our anniversary we made a late booking, 9pm on a weekday, which was accommodated with ease.
When we arrived and found out the menu changes often, and therefore wasn't the same as online, I was initially worried as a vegetarian that they only had one option - but when I asked the very friendly and helpful waitress she said they could make me up the dish I had seen online: the pan fried potato gnocchi with feta and asparagus. It was literally the best meal I've ever had. Couldn't recommend it more highly. This was followed up with the best tiramisu my partner and I have ever had, with the best restaurant coffee we've ever had - not to mention the drinks menu is delightful. The night couldn't have been a better dining experience. Would recommend La Luna Bistro in a heartbeat to any food lover who desires the perfect evening out.
Awesome meat restaurant with a fantastic wine list. This place is all about the meat - not just steak, but lamb, duck, crispy pigs ears (so good!) - but pairs it so well with simple sides and great wines. Excellent service in a casual yet attentive style.
Fancy some meat? Then You won't be disappointed here. Had a celebration dinner on a Friday night and floated out happily full with bacon croquettes, sensationally prepared hangar steak (favourite) and fillet, lovely roast potatoes and a moreish tiramisu to finish. Great cocktails too. Reliable and tasty.
Faultless! Food and service was amazing. Had the rib eye which is probably one of the best I've eaten in a while. Desert tasting plate was shared between 4 and was great also.
Love the entree, it is special of the day, prawn with garlic sauce. The sauce and oil is fantastic. Both of us ordered fillet mignon wrapped in bacon. The steaks are perfectly cook and love the mustard sauce that they offered.
Lovely location and atmosphere. Heard Adrian giving orders in the kitchen and he came out for a chat once we were finished which was much appreciated. Filo pie was delicious flavourings and the best labne I've had. My gnocchi was very silky and soft. My family got some duck fat potatoes to share which disappointed me in crunch and texture as my a few of y pieces were dry and all were a bit of a stale or soggy crunch. Pavlova was incredible with the marscapone. Overall, it was worth the experience.
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Overall experience was good, just not entirely worth the $ or gushing praise. Would come again to try some of the other dishes but will lower my expectations and not come for a special occasion.
Bacon and sage croquettes were very nice however $20+ for an entree that was really small... save your $ for a decent size main.
Rump was very very tasty, highlight of the evening. The mustard that comes with it was divine and the cooked vegetables were a nice addition to the dish. The serving size was great and the juice was just divine. The only quibble would be that although requested medium, half was cooked to medium rare. Many people got the steak, so looks to be the dish to order.
Lowlight of the evening was the fettuccine. The pasta was cooked VERY al-dente (chewy.. undercooked...) and the rabbit meat wasn't very nice. The stringy texture wasn't that great to eat and wasn't tasty. I was pretty disappointed especially as we were happy with the other two dishes and expected good things.
The service would have been good except the waiter, upon being told that 'no, quite full won't need the dessert menu thank you', moved like the Flash and processed the bill and slammed it down 30 seconds from dishes being cleared. Thanks for chasing us out! Guess you didn't want us to linger over drinks or cheese despite having 1hr left until the next seating session...
Flawless!
Adrian's menu small but everything you need to make your taste buds lose control.
Good to see him watering his lush garden out front too..
Cocktails were spot on! Malbec was amazing.
Special of the day were the prawns (pictured) easily THE BEST DISH IVE EVER HAD! we even asked for extra bread to dip into the oil and garlic. Cannot explain what flavours that came from this!! Had the whole roast baby chicken which was perfectly cooked, great flavours. Mrs had the porterhouse, easily the best steak I've had at a restaurant. The capsicum it came with was up there with the prawns. Cos salad, beautiful, fresh and great tasting. Sautéed potatoes in duck fat are a must, forget your calories for a day and eat here!!! No room for dessert unfortunately but god damn this restaurant is my favourite now!!
Went back this week for the burger - amazing!
Amazing food and the best service! The staff really work together and it shows. The entire menu is divine but the steaks and the desserts are really outstanding. I always love coming here. I will return soon.
Dined here with my family for lunch the other day. Food was delicious. The Duck leg served with herbed polenta and poached peach was very tasty as well as the Pork dish which was cooked to perfection. So soft I didnt need a knife and the crackling was as crunchy as I've had before. Very well seasoned. The pasta which I had was lovely; and being a big rabbit fan I enjoyed, but growing up eating rabbit and having a calabrese background the white sauce may have contained cream which I found unusual and not something we ever cook with rabbit. But still enjoyed it overall. The house made salumi and preserves was lovely also. They also have a fantastic wine list. Will definitely return.
Great food, great service. Staff obviously know what they're doing and know the food they are serving very well which is always a positive. There is a delicious selection of food to choose from both as starters and mains. Disappointed I didn't get to try the deserts as they sounded scrumptious, but definitely will next time!
From the moment we walked in, La Luna felt like it was a restaurant that was classy and professional. The service would be informative and insightful whilst allowing the space that is desired. The waitress offered for the Chilean wine we were drinking to be written down on a piece of paper so we could purchase it.
As for the food. We presented the garlic and chilli prawns. Delicious, prawns were cooked perfect and the garlic butter was still hot in the pan and the lightly toasted sourdough complimented the dish beautifully.
The mains we had fettuccini with tomato, prawns and pipis and potato gnocchi with lamb ragout. The fettuccini was house made and cooked perfectly, whilst the potato gnocchi was melt in your mouth and the lamb ragout full of flavour whilst being subtle and not heavy at all.
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What an experience! These guys really do know what they're doing!
Upon arrival we were greeted with smiles from all the staff. While waiting for a mintue while our table was quickly being prepared we had the opportunity to watch Adrian Richardson and his team of chefs doing what they do best in the kitchen.
After being seated, staff were diligent in making sure all our waters where topped up and constantly asking whether we were interested in any drinks from the bar.
Ordering food was very quick and pleasant. The waitresses smiling and answering any questions we had, a rare quality in restaurants!
In no time the starters were brought out. I was pleasantly surprised and the great taste of the spicy fried chicken that was eaten very quickly, the only issue is that we probably needed to order another 2 serves as they were beautiful!
Not too long after the starters were cleared from the table, our mains were by brought out. The word 'delicious' doesnt even cut it. Everything you could see on the plate shouted quality and taste. I had the burger, the meat was cooked to perfection and everything that was inside it complemented everything extremely well. We also had the porterhouse steak which again was cooked beautifully!
After completing our meal, we sat and said how it couldn't have been any better.
We paid the bill and proceeded to walk out. Before we reached the door we could hear "how was everything guys" coming from the kitchen. We stopped and turned around and saw Adrian Richardson standing at the front of his kitchen. Now, i dont know about anyone else, but its not very often the chef will come out to ask how the food was. We took the opportunity to have a quick chat with Adrian before he neesed to go back into the kitchen to continue the dinner service. That just made our night.
The highest rating here is 5.0, but i give it 5,000,000,000.0
We will definitely be back here!!!!!
Had a fantastic night last night. A group of four was seated upstairs. Our waiter was very very good, she was attentive and informative without being pushy.
We shared a lot of the dishes. Everything was extremely good, the filet mignon was the highlight, the mushroom side was almost as delicious. The gnocchi was also just as amazing.
Yes it was expensive, but the quality and attention to detail was there. We also got to see the good chef from good chef bad chef.
My only suggestion would be that this place gets at least one choice of tap beer.
I have been here twice and would return again and again. Food is delicious and reasonably priced. I had the duck legs and the meat was so tender it just fell off the bone. I have also had the hanger steak previously and the meat was cooked to perfection. The dessert platter for two was yum! The creme brûlée being my favourite and the sorbet being my least as it was too tangy/sour.
Very, very good. Almost perfect. The service was professional and very attentive. A few pointers for food: pigs ears no need for coriander garnish (just use micros), chips needed more salt, steak should be more marbleized, of better quality and not so lean. HOWEVER, an exceptionally fantastic dining experience and would highly recommend La Luna to anybody. Excellent work guys!! 9.5/10
Have been here for dinner on 2 occasions.
Food was outstanding and service attentive and friendly.
The banquet is a good option to try a selection of dishes, everything is delicious!
Will definitely be returning.
Long gone are the days when steak is considered a ‘luxury’ meal and in the current day cheap steaks are readily available from one’s local pub. Despite this, cheaper steaks do vary significantly in quality and it is still nice to occasionally go out and have a high quality cut of beef prepared by a chef who really knows what he/she is doing. La Luna Bistro Carlton North is one of the mainstays of this part of Rathdowne Street, delivering modern Australian cuisine in a mid-price range with a big focus on steak.
A special dinner at our fave - daughter turned 21 and chose la Luna as the venue to celebrate. Waiter reception v cool. Dinner menu - no drinks orders. Ordered, had our French bubbles (waited forever for the beer before we could toast ... Oops, forgot). Meals delivered - no condiments offered, NO BACON JAM (devastated). Ordered wine with dinner - all good. Service finally stepped up with dessert. Too little, too late. Based on all the wonderful nights we have had at La Luna, the place has gone off! Service was relatively poor (we got that it was their Monday) but the celebration of our 21at was soured. Will find new venue for the next occasion. Very sad. Have loved coming here, but obviously attention to detail has been foregone.
12 months later went back. Great night, wonderful food and service. La Luna is back in form. Thanks Lynda and Adrian.
Another birthday... another wonderful night. Service and food were fabulous. Hilary was incredible.
Ordered the roast pork with crackling and steak. Both were extremely delicious and meal sizes are very generous. Restaurant has a very cozy feel with grey walls and comfortable timber furniture. Kitchen is open so you can see the chefs preparing meals. Staff were friendly and wine list is extensive.
We went to La Luna as a party of four and ordered the lamb, spinach and feta pie, with a tasting plate of I house small goods. The pie was too small to share between 2, let alone 4, but the small goods platter.... Divine!
For mains we ordered the slow cooked lamb (share plate for 2), the pork, whole baby chicken and vegetable sides.
For dessert we ordered a tasting plate, which was really tasty, but very heavy, rich and chocolates, with 3 of the 6 desserts having some form of chocolate.
Overall, good food, good staff, and an enjoyable night.
La Luna always provides a joyful dining experience. It's has a romantic atmosphere downstairs and a larger group dining area upstairs. The service is impeccable and the food is high quality with generous servings. The servers are knowledgeable and professional. I would not take anyone vegetarian here as the menu is largely meat based. My family has been coming here since the day it opened and the quality of the establishment is just as impeccable as it was years ago.
Fantastic, great food with a red meat focus. Great ambience, all together a wonderful spot that I would happily revisit. Highly recommended the brisket if they have it on the menu.
Latina is owned by chef Adrian Richardson for good chef bad chef fame amongst others. Have been going here for many years and never had a bad feed. Adrian is a master of meat. His whole suckling pig events are a must do. Steaks area awesome, other meats equally so. Wine list is great and you can BYO also. Linda is the manager and she is a real professional of the industry. Atmosphere is casual and you will 100% enjoy your experience!
Delicious food- $95 tasting menu gave us a huge amount and a wide variety of food. I would have given this a five except for the fact the waitress we had last night developed some sort an issue half way though the night. She went from being friendly and helpful to point blank rude. I have no idea what happened or why but as a paying customer who was nothing but polite to her....really? Not cool. Had this not been the case I'd be booking my next event there, but because it is the case...instead of still basking in the memory of the kitchen's incredible food I am left confused and a bit shitty about the treatment we received.
Lovely decor, food was quite nice too. I think we may have over ordered. Love the fact that it's BYO so we brought a top notch French with us that we schlepped back from chateauneuf du pape 👍🏿
I Just Love Good Food
+4.5
Yum! Came here for my birthday celebration. For starter, we had the baby pork ribs, it was ordinary, wish it could be more smoky. I wanted to order duck leg for mains but sadly they've took it off from menu. Had the roast pork, crackling was crispy. I love their rib eye steak, meat was tender, juicy and perfectly cooked. Tiramisu was really a happy ending for the dinner, it was sensational, probably the best I've had in my life so far.
I went to La Luna for a celebratory meal (and meats) over the weekend, and the steaks were cooked to perfection. An impressively well constructed Lychee Chilli cocktail accompanied my mains and the dessert was delicious, without being an overdose of sweet.
The map of different parts of the cow explaining the various meats placed above the bar was a nice touch. The ambience is what you'd expect of a traditional fine-dining venue, albeit a tad too small. Do not forget to book a table en avance to enjoy a lovely meal at this classic bistro.
Love, love, love this place! We've been countless times and it's spectacular every time, both on the service and the food front. We couldn't get in for dinner but had lunch there today for my husband's birthday. His dessert came out with a candle, without me even asking :-) We had the oysters to share as our entrée, plump and fresh with a perfect vinaigrette. My husband had the roast pork and I had the lamb shanks for main, both generous serves which we had with the sautéed spinach. We finished the experience off with a dessert tasting plate (which came out with a candle without even asking!) And the creme brulee, which I think is the best in town! Did I mention how much I love this place?!?!
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In a small group, we had a pretty decent spread of main dishes, including steak, burger, duck, pork and the lamb shoulder along with a couple of sides.
Desserts were also nicely varied, including the chocolate pudding, crème brûlée, tiramisu and the "mezze plate" (with a modification).
Everyone was quite complimentary of their meals. I had the lamb shoulder and it was very nicely cooked, separating with nary a pull from the fork and very tasty.
Only complaint I have is that the sauteed potatoes and sprouts (both sides) were very firm. This may be on purpose, but to me they seemed under-cooked. I didn't get a chance to raise this with one of the wait staff.
I had the mezze plate for dessert (shared). All the components were tasty enough although the flavour differentiation between the three layers in the mousse was not strong. The restaurant was okay with swapping out the usual tiramisu (neither of us are keen) for something else.
La Luna isn't cheap, but I didn't feel ripped off. The portion sizes were decent and even now, several hours after the meal I feel satisfied.
There doesn't appear to be any bread for gluten-free people, but dish-wise the restaurant is pretty easy for GF diners.
Absolutely wonderful! We went for my birthday dinner, all of our food was well cooked with beautiful flavours. Beef cheeks was wonderful followed by the desert tasting plate which was great to try a few different things. Service is great! However just be aware that this resturant is expensive and best kept for a special occasion.
I had dinner here with 4 friends and had a brilliant time spending our hard earned money here. We shared some great ribs, pigs ears and charcuterie board. The steaks were perfectly cooked and the roast pork was exceptional.
We will definitely return here for another feast.
We went to La Luna for a birthday celebration last week. We had been planning to get there for such a long time and it did not disappoint. We did the Chef's Feast which was 4 courses (around 10 dishes). Everything was delicious: prosciutto with pickled onion, smoked salmon salad, wafer thin biscuits with lardo, garlic prawns, porterhouse, lamb shanks, blue cheese and the best creme brulee I have ever had!
Service was great (very accommodating: my BF doesn't really like dessert so they provided cheese and stuck a birthday candle into the grapes), food was amazing, wines were perfectly matched. At $135 per person (including 4 generous matched wines) it was also excellent value! We will definitely go back.
La Luna is just excellence personified when it comes to meat. Great steaks, great venue and great staff. I would say that their steaks have been the most consistent ones I have had. Excellent Filet Mignon. The other dishes are alright but nothing to shout about. Good place for date I might add, relaxed atmosphere but with excellent food and a charming interior decor.
Yum. Dined here a few weeks back for a special occasion and it was superb. The venue perfectly straddles that fine line between elegant and relaxed. Staff around the kitchen were so friendly when we walked in and the waitresses were very attentive. My partner and I got the rump and the hanger steak with chimichurri. I initially had the rump, which was really good but too big - swapped for the hanger steak and omg. That chimmichuri sauce was amazing, zesty and colourful. and of course the steak was perfection.
Big highlight was the dessert platter which they kindly adapted to suit our preferences. I wish I didn't finish it (very generous portion for the price, IMO) because I could barely walk to the tram I felt so full! It was all amazing though, the ice creams and mousse were especially lovely.
Loved it, would go back in a hearbeat.
Wonderful wonderful wonderful. Fantastic food lovely staff
We were in the second sitting which was a little crowded two of our party kept getting bumped into.
Lovely restaurant will be back again
Yum, yum, yum. We recently dined at La Luna Bistro and once again it was awesome! the Port Douglas oysters to start with were silky and creamy...between three of us we ordered the 500g rump, braised beef cheek and a couple of sides...OMG! the beef cheek was outstanding! it was a truly memorable dinner....the wait staff were friendly and very professional, and the fact you can take a really nice bottle of wine (or three) that they decant for you makes it a really enjoyable experience...most definitely going back!
Love it!. Went to La Luna Bistro for my 18th birthday. What an experience, it was!
The service was amazing as well as the food. As a group of five, we had starters of cured meat and salmon, followed by lamb shoulder, rump steak and duck leg for main. To finish we had a mezze plate to share, everything we shared was absolutely amazing!.
Again, the experience was amazing, Adrian even came to talk to us. Thanks Adrian!
I would highly recommend the restaurant, we will be coming back.
The fillet mignon, dry aged for 8 weeks was cooked to perfection. Wrapped in smoky bacon the fillet was tender and the aging was evident in the taste. It’s been a while since I have had a steak of this quality, Adrian Richardson really does know his meat! The garlic butter swiss brown mushrooms had a good balance between the earthiness of the mushrooms, the butter and the garlic and a freshness added with some chopped parsley.
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Twenty seven!!!! Just last week, I celebrated my 27th birthday with some friends and Le Boyfriend. For my pre-birthday celebration, Le Boyfriend booked a place (which I will not name for privacy purposes) at Crown Complex. It is a renowned Seafood restaurant and the display at the window showcases some very enticing seafood varieties. Everyone who walks past this restaurant can't help but to peer inside the restaurant to check out what they have to offer and it is always busy whenever I walk past. So when Le Boyfriend asked where I'd like to have dinner to celebrate my birthday, there was not even a doubt in my mind as I firmly said "Let's go to that place". I was very much looking forward to the dinner as I had planned the year before to go there. I dressed up and got myself ready to rock the night. As it turned out, the dinner was a massive disappointment. We had a seafood platter which costed $105 per person and everything was way too cold to my liking. There was no doubt the seafood varieties were fresh but they were just too cold and the sauces weren't amazing either. I was absolutely not impressed and it kind of ruined my mood for the night because Le Boyfriend paid for the meal and it wasn't a great meal. I've personally had a better seafood platter in Geelong with a bunch of girlfriends and it only costed $45 pp for 3 girls to share. I was so extremely let down by that restaurant and have vowed not to return again. They also offer a 6-course meal which should be what we should've ordered but because the 6-course meal barely has seafood in it and we're in a seafood renowned restaurant, we set on the seafood platter instead. Furthermore, when we walked out, we saw the seafood platters just sat on the ice ready to go so no wonder they were way too cold because they were all ready to go. Normal.dotm 0 0 1 301 1716 beatrice_pisc88@yahoo.co.id 14 3 2107 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false /* Style Definitions */ table.Mso
A Chronicle Of Gastronomy
+4
Nestled inconspicuously on leafy corner of Rathdowne St, La Luna Bistro has been serving contemporary Australian cuisine with a Mediterranean influence for over a decade. Chef and owner Adrian Richardson utilises produce from local suppliers to create dishes that showcase their ingredients...
Giant prawns bathed in garlic butter, chilli and parsley. the pool of buttery goodness was delicious with the accompaniment of extra slices of bread which the waitress offered. lemon did well to cut through the richness. Prawns were flavoursome and fresh. No complaints.
Andrew decided he was hungry enough to go for an entrée served size of the penne with lamb ragout. This was a hearty dish with stunning hand rolled penne, and a rich meat sauce redolent with basil and rosemary, and delicately scattered with some finely grated parmesan....For mains, Vegetarian J had this amazing gnocchi with basil, feta, olives and pine nuts. The gnocchi were delicate, fluffy pillows and there was a riot of Mediterranean flavours in the mouth – gorgeous creamy feta, sundried tomatoes and olives. Delish!
The menu is fairly heavy on the meats ...The duck flesh is so juicy and so tender, it quite literally melts in our mouths, a trait hard to come by with duck.
La Luna remains one of the best value options on offer; the produce and cooking are outstanding and Adrian and his staff are obviously bacon fetishists, such is the fun they have prepping and hosting.
La Luna understates it's merit.
This was also the restaurant where the manager came up to me questioning me about my SLR as they had a ‘policy’ about taking photos at the restaurant, and the staff lied about : 1-not having my favourite Nivole moscato, 2-the supposedly ‘generous’ entree portion.
Mademoiselle Delicieuse
+4.5
Armed with a list of places I wanted to try in Melbourne, plus a few recommendations from friends that flowed in, meant that I was never going to make it to all of them. But as Monsieur Poisson's training course was finally completed we were at least not
Great table service (just enough), lamb shoulder was amazing (easily enough for 3 people) garlic prawns were awesome. unfortunatley was too full to try dessert but will next time...
went back a second time March 2016. this time we tried the duck and pork. very nice but both they could make these dishes better by bring out each dish with a small jug of sauce which the diner can pour over.
I want to go back for more!!!. Had the best crisp duck leg and the ambience of the restaurant was very relaxing and slightly casual. I feel really comfortable dining in this restaurant without feeling embarrassed all the time whether I was eating in the right way compared to high end fine dining restaurants. Their crisp duck leg and roast pork were to literally die for!!
Just love it, this is just perfect from the time you step into the restaurant... Great food and service first class..
Most awesome meat fest I've ever had!
Great little bistro. Have always experienced wonderful meals hear over the years,but i wish the menu changed items more often.
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Valentine's Day dinner. This was our second visit to La Luna and I must say highly anticipated after our first where the food was fantastic and Adrian himself spoke to us and served some of our food. This time we were also introducing new people to the restaurant. All was going great, the entrees including oysters, garlic prawns and homemade sausages were delicious. The steaks were as good as any we have had, but the surprise and unwelcome dead visitor we found in our spinach side put a bit of a dampener on the evening. The staff were apologetic taking the meal off the tab and being reasonable people we moved on to dessert and coffee without a fuss and with a smile, understanding these unfortunate things sometimes happen. We did ask if possible to say a quick hello to Adrian as the night was coming to an end with many patrons having left but were told he was too busy. Fair enough I guess but we were a tad disappointed he didn't make the effort considering our experience. Nevertheless we still recommend this restaurant as will please and is one of the most respected reastaurants in Melbourne for good reason.
UPDATE: Credit where credit is due have since received a phone call from Adrian's PA Linda apologising for our experience on Saturday night. This was very much appreciated.
Crispy pork yes please. Wow the food here is so tasty. I had the crackling pork for main. It was cooked well and the crackling was nice and crispy. My dish was quite expensive however, I would return based on a special even or occasion. I must say it went down nicely with their pimms cocktail.
My third & by far best visit to La Luna last night. The reason? The chefs choice banquet.
Absolutely incredible value for money in an unpretentious bistro.
I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Great lunch. Fantastic Sunday lunch. Our mains were cooked to perfection and full of delicious flavour. Servings are not huge, but so delish. Chocolate pudding was devine. Crisp outer with a warm gooey centre. La Luna is Highly Recommended.
Fabulous Steaks!. We had a celebration dinner at La Luna and it was superb! The service was professional, unobtrusive, friendly , and our waitress had a fun personality!! Wonderful to find people with personalities! 3 of us had the Fillet Mignon and 1 the Rump. All superb! 2 serves of the Kipfler potatoes done in duck fat were delicious and plenty for the 4 of us. The meze platter of desserts was perfect and enough for the 4 of us to share and have a taste of all 6 desserts. Will definitely be back!
Great place. Been here a bunch of times over the last 10 or so years, the food has been fantastic every time. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending it. One of the best things about the place is the acoustics, you can speak to and hear everyone at your table.
Been dying to go to La Luna for quite a while now...Expectations were definitely met! Everything was spot on except one tiny thing I was given hot english mustard instead of dijon, but thats just nitpicking I suppose. Service was lovely and not in your face. Steak, Ribeye was superb and perfectly cooked the radicchio salad was a great match as was the home made fries (best i have had...ever)...Mezze dessert platter, 6 small portions shared among 3 was more than enough...every single dessert was perfect, highlight was creme brullee and brownie...want to go back now!!
Nice find for us. We just finished lunch at La Luna and enjoyed it. The garlic prawns tasted like we were back in Spain (except it needs to be served with plain bread rather than buttered toast), the burger was excellent and the gnocchi very soft and light and fresh tasting, as befits a spring menu. We managed to "force" a tiramisu in because... well... just because :) and were glad we tried it. Lovely service ad staff made our experience most enjoyable. Tks :)
Fabulous experience. The garlic prawns and beef tartare were superb. The 500g aged rump steak was beautiful, and the Mezza dessert platter exquisite. Professional service. Bravo, it was a wonderful experience, I definitely recommend this place.
Yeah expensive but worth it. Emphasis is all about the steak as it should be. Great place and will be back to try more delicious cuts
Love it! Flavoursome food. Warm, friendly, attentive service. We arrived hungry and with high expectations. We left very full and extremely happy :)
Absolutely fantastic. The service here was so great, each staff member took time to chat and ale us feel welcome. I took my mother here for her birthday and it was a very special night. We shared two entrees - garlic prawns and croquettes- both of which were delicious. Our water glasses were constantly filled and every need met. I have an allergy which was catered for really well. The main we had was the slow cooked lamb shoulder to share. I would categorise the food as fine dining that fills you. The food was so tasty and the sizes were just right.
Cannot fault the experience at all. Will definitely be returning. Thank you
Exceptional steaks, wonderful menu & great service - world class - you must go
Favourite. Have been here several times now and have not been disappointed! Food is always fantastic and well presented, staff are helpful and attentive. Good portions to and reasonably priced for the quality. Often see owner Adrian Richardson in the kitchen or checking in. Delicious cocktails and the buttered garlic prawns are a favourite!
Very pleased. I have wanted to eat here for ages. I was not disappointed. Attentive service, delicious food and warm atmosphere welcoming of young families (I had been worried bringing a baby here, I shouldn't have worried). The chef Adrian was in attendance which I appreciated. I will definitely return and recommend to others.
Enjoyable experience. Lovely food and service. We have been here a number of times and have always enjoyed the delicious food, from the gnocchi, tagliatelle, steak and burgers.
Extremely Good - But Pricey. Sunday Lunch - our meats were cooked to perfection. As were the potatoes and the broccoli. The pancetta was too salty and too piggy - maybe it was only a decoration, not to be eaten. Could not fault the food otherwise. The service was excellent and waitresses polite. Selection of wines by the glass were light on - A Little pricey. Olive tree would charge $35.00 not $47.50 about 30% less for the same meal. But the atmosphere and space and vibe was excellent. Sizeable meals. Would not hesitate to recommend provided you do not mind paying a little more.
Not all was right. We have eaten at la Luna 3 times previously, always for dinner, this time for lunch.
Food was excellent, as it always is, however there were a few issues that didn't really meet our expectations.
1. We were there for approx 15 mins when we were asked for our food selections and not once had we been offerred a drink, except water which had been poured.
2. Upon ordering a Johnnie Walker Black was told only Chivas or would I like a Jack Daniels (a bourbon!!!)
3. The menus are only on paper and can't be that expensive to mass produce then why do they recycle them so that all of us had stained menus from previous clients.
What an absolute delight, when expectations about your meal is met. The food was as good as all the reviews I have read. Generous and very tasty food was served.
We dined here last night to celebrate my husbands birthday and wow! Everything was amazing from the cocktails on arrival to desert! The house cures meats were amazing and the garlic prawns were to die for! For mains my husband had the rib eye which was massive and cooked to perfection. I had the duck. As my husband doesn't eat duck a lot of the time when we done out I will order it and I have never had a duck with as crispy skin as I did at la luna! The desert mezze was the most generous desert we have ever seen and it did not forgo quality for quantity the tiramisu and house made ice creams were our favs! The service was great and we left feeling very very full and well looked after. Well done la luna bistro - we will be back!!!
Fantastic food and service. Quality which probably earns the price tag. Will be back for sure. Save room for the dessert tasting plate!
Just delicious. Very highly recommended, every dish was fabulous... My partner got the pie and this was definitely the winner of the night. House cured meats were also amazing and oysters super fresh.. Unfortunately didn't have room for dessert this time. Next time for sure.
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The bright Moon that shines over a quiet Carlton North. I have many reasons why I love this place but the most important one is that this restaurant with its liveliness and charming spunky ladies roaming the floor is :it all just makes sense and it is what it is.
A lot of restaurants are over doing good food and good service. The reason I'm saying this, because this great restaurant in a slightly "quieter" neighborhood stands out over a lot of other places due to its fantastic approach to food. Its seasonal menu changes are adjusted just right, summery weather = fresher dishes. colder weather=heartier dishes. Is this not normal you ask, but of course but its also understanding why certain ingredients make it work. We can all taste but can we explain why the things that we taste work so well. But please don't get me wrong in the warmer months you can still go in for a quality piece of meat cause that's what Adrian Richardson knows best.
I have been many times over the last 3 or so years and never been disappointed with the food. I think the wine list could do with a little bit more work but I'm being slightly picky. The service is always warm and attentive with a professional but casual approach.
My personal favorites starter wise are definitely the house made sausages, bresaola, croquettes and any of the salamis. (if they have the garlic and chili king prawns then have those as well)
Might as well tell you my favorite mains. You got to try the duck, beef rib and I'm normally not one to order a burger in a restaurant but the La Luna burger is to die for. Oh and the Lamb Shoulder for 2 (just bring your appetite). Any of the steaks are amazing. I believe all beef is hung in house.
I love this place and will go back over and over and over again.
Excellent. Superb meals. A lovely place to catch up with friends and enjoy a great meal. We love it!
Beautiful. La Luna Bistro is a cosy and warmly lit restaurant on a lovely street, with very high quality food and talented chefs. My partner and I started off with a bold and slightly spicy glass of delicious pinot noir each. We then had Sydney rock oysters for our entree, which were extremely fresh and tasted like heaven. For mains we both had the pepper crusted hanger steak - a truly amazing dish. Melt in your mouth steak with a charred crust... cooked to perfection (rare) on a bed of silky spinach. We were both extremely impressed with the service we received and couldn't fault our experience at this unpretentious, great value restaurant.
Awesome. Came here for a friends birthday, staff were absolutely fantastic, customer service was was exceptional. The food is excellently presented, and of course tastes exquisite!
Excellent food, the roast pork has an amazing crackling. Very friendly staff and good selection of beer!
Highly recommended. We travelled from Adelaide to dine at La Luna on the recommendation of a friend and I am happy to say it did not disappoint. Great food, great wine and great service in an unpretentious setting. Look forward to another visit soon.
Came here for a Mother's Day lunch and was absolutely delighted. The food is delicious, although some portion sizes of the dishes weren't so great for the price you paid. For example, a starter of Southern Fried Chicken had only 3 bits of chicken & the house made Ricotta Gnocchi came with only 10 gnocchi on the plate but with a price tag of $24.50. However, every dish is delicious - I had Hapuka, which was noisy and flavoursome and the dessert tasting plate (Brownie, Sorbet, Ice Cream, Creme Brulle, Mousse 3 Ways & Lemon Curd) was divine! As I said, a bit pricey but would definitely come back for another special occasion.
Great place!. As I'm a big fan of GCBC and visiting from Sydney, I made sure to book La Luna when catching up with friends in Melbourne. Even at the 6pm booking (two seatings) the restaurant was busy with diners.
Service from staff was professional yet friendly and we all enjoyed our food. My friend and I both had the special of the night which were the lamb shanks which were beautifully tender and falling off the bone while husband went for their pork which came with crunchy crackling. My other friend tried their burger which was tasty but he didn't think it was worth the $41 price tag.
For dessert, I shared the ricotta baklava with cinnamon ice cream with my husband which was a delicious way to end the meal. To top off the night, we saw Richo in the kitchen and when one of the staff saw how excited I was, she let me walk into the kitchen and meet him!
What a lovely evening we had at La Luna celebrating a friend's birthday. The food was excellent and the service from all staff superb. Thank you for making our visit to Melbourne so memorable.
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I visited here for my girlfriend's birthday with her parents a few days ago and we had an absolutely amazing evening. First off, the restaurant decor is very fresh and on trend, with black walls, cool lighting a nice friendly and inviting tables. The bathrooms too were so neat and so stylish! The waiting staff were easily the best I have ever experienced, so welcoming and willing to off information and recommendations on food and drinks. The food was so delicious, for entrée we had the garlic prawns to share and the cinnamon lamb in fill pastry and they were simply delicious. The lamb was a breathtaking flavour combination that really blew my mind. For the main I had the La Luna burger and it was simply hands down the best burger I've ever had. Others had the steak (rib eye), the ribs and the fish, and from all accounts they too were spectacular. On a side note, the chips are fantastic and have a real natural crunch to them that's sublime. As it was my girlfriend's birthday, we got a dessert platter. It had six desserts to choose from and share, as well as her name and happy birthday written in chocolate. The desserts were lemon meringue pie, choc brownie, vanilla bean and dark choc ice cream, berry sorbet, choc mousse and crem brûlée. They were amazing and a perfect way to end an amazing evening. Many thanks to the restaurant for such a great experience.
Yum + Great Service. One of my favourite Melbourne restaurants, always good. Tasty, strong cocktails at good prices ($13.50), amazing steak, delicious sides, always great with half portions available, because they are generous. Dessert platter is always quality and to top it all off excellent service every time, all round the food is always delicious, will never leave hungry!
It was delicious!!! Best steak I have had in a long time!
YUM. Do yourself a favour and go! Absolutely delicious food. Thank you.
Great bistro!. Had a really nice Sunday lunch at La Luna. The food was all very good. I especially enjoyed my hanger steak. The house Shiraz was also very enjoyable, as was the friendly and genuine service. This was a meal well worth venturing North-side for; we will be back for more!
I love the environment, food and the culture of this place
A must for all carnivores.. It's not hard to cook a steak. I cook steak four to five times a week, so one can imagine that over the years, I'd be pretty well adept at it.
Soooo... it's great to go out and eat steak and for it to be a true culinary experience. To have someone cook and serve you steak, like you can never ever do.
Perfect. Relaxed fine dining - the way it should be.
I took my parents to La Luna, who are not from Melbourne. We booked on a Sunday afternoon, end of lunch service. It was surprisingly very quiet and by the time our meals came out we were the only ones left in la Luna dining, which was very relaxing and intimate. It was an excellent experience. The staff were extremely helpful, friendly and easy going. The waitresses were on the ball and had full knowledge about food and wine. The meals came out quickly. Portion sizes are spot on. Food is delicious. Little more of an $$ restaurant but well worth it & it's not pretentious in anyway. Highly recommend dining at La Luna, well worth it!! Will be back!
Wonderful restaurant! The food is excellent, with high quality produce used, large portions and delicious flavour combinations. Extensive wine list. Great attentive and knowledgable staff. Cannot fault this restaurant - what a wonderful experience (topped off by meeting Adrian Richardson). Excited to come again and try more delicious food!
A place I will always come back to. So many places these days throw around the terms 'honest', 'home style' and 'paddock to plate' to the point that it seems to be a marketing ploy that often excuses average food...La Luna is different.
They won't reinvent the wheel here, but you will get the best produce cooked properly – and I do mean the best. Few restaurants have such a close link to the produce they use, which means the house cured meats may be the best you ever had, while the steaks will rival any steakhouse in town. The chef knows and loves his meat, that's for sure.
La Luna is the kind of casual, friendly and relaxed place where I know I can always be fed well.
9.5/10 - Amazing. First time here and I was simply blown away. Doesn't look like much on the outside but inside offers a warm dining experience. If you're seated upstairs, you're lucky enough to walk past the kitchen where you can witness the food being cooked; it smelled sensational. The steak was juicy and soft, the crackling pork was crunchy and yummy but the highlight was the dessert. Order the mezza dessert plate to share as you'll have a little bit of everything.
Food: 10/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 10/10
Price: 9/10
Une Belle Experience!. Wow, what a great evening we had. Thank you again to the lovely staff down at La Luna. A great meal. I was getting frustrated since the wait was over an hour. while my my friends ordered starters I was silly enough not to order one. However, once the rib eye came out i then knew why the long wait was worth it. cooked to perfection and tasted wonderful. 2 thumbs up. Next time I will chew all the meat off the bone, a fantastic rib eye.
Until next time Mon Amour.
Another fantastic meal tonight! Garlic prawns are a must if they are on the menu! Even spotted Adrian lurking in the kitchen. Wave back next time! xo
Fantastic experience best steak in town
Perfect steak, wonderful service. What more could you want but a great steak perfectly cooked. Our family had a wonderful meal here recently. This was our second dining experience at this restaurant and we all left feeling extremely happy with the amazing food, friendly service and great atmosphere. Thank you La Luna.
Still a Favourite. Visited La Luna on the weekend just passed, it was my first visit in a few years, and it reminded me that I must make it a shorter time between visits! I've visited La Luna several times over the years and was glad to see while some items on the menu have changed the quality of the food and the service remain outstanding. The food is indeed very rich, but as others have said it is a special treat and definitely good value for money when you consider the quality of the produce and portion size. La Luna was and still is one of my favourite places to eat in Melbourne, will make sure not to leave it so long between visits next time!
Stunning ... Don't miss this experience if you're in Melbourne. You know it's amazing when you should stop eating but just can't. Only regret is that we aren't cows. A couple more stomachs would have come in handy.
Nice enough. The service was great, but the food and price tag don't quite match up. I didn't know it was Adrian Richardsons place when I went and once I knew there were a few things I wouldn't eat because of seeing him on Good Chef Bad Chef. He's way too heavy on the butter and sugar.
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Our party cheered for the food!. We had a fantastic experience at La Luna as a party of 13 in the small private function room. It was a surprise for my boyfriend's birthday and we went all out and ordered the banquet! My friends and I loved loved LOVED the food and each dish that was bought to the table was literally cheered for, our friendly waitress laughed about us saying she had never had such appreciative customers! For me this kind of place is a special treat as my budget does not permit me to frequent restaurants in this price range often, I am definitely not saying that the food was over-priced though, the quality and quantity was well worth it! Our favorites from the banquet menu included the prosciutto, the salami on the antipasto platter, the croquettes with bacon mayo, the lamb, the pork (especially the crackling) and the dessert meze platter was divine, the whole experience was just amazing and the some of the best meat I have ever eaten! My boyfriend's mum unfortunately had a rough deal as she is vegetarian, gluten & dairy free - not the best customer for a meat restaurant, but Laluna were able to cater for her with separate dishes. A 10/10 experience all round! :)
Fabulous! My husband had the gnocchi with pork ragout and I had the pepper encrusted hangar steak with spinach and salsa verde - OMG it was beautiful. So much to choose from and the mezze plate of desserts absolutely spot on. Our first trip to La Luna definately not our last! Oh and the wine list is vast with great friendly service.
The best restaurant on rathdowne street. I've been here many times, you could never , ever complain about service, taste, or leaving disheartened...La Luna provides amazing food , always plenty, and most of all cooked to perfection.
Delightful staff, especially with knowledge on their wines, but most of all when explaining tasty new drinks on offer..
As a local , I truly recommend here
I look forward to many many visits
Spectacular!!. If you love meat like I do, this place is heaven!
The cured meat tasting plate was delicious (pretty big, too!) The pork was crunchy and very tasty and the assortment of mustards you are given with a steak is impressive. Nice wine options to round up the night. The lemon tart was the dessert of the day and we grabbed the last piece...so happy for that, it was a dream!
Only small annoying thing was when we arrived at 8:30pm (booked for 8:30pm) our table was still occupied by customers at arrived earlier. They were asked to leave and gave us a pretty evil look on their way out. A first impression that definitely didn't match with the rest of the evening.
Would definitely go back!
Love Meat. Love meat? Love La Luna. Delicious!
The chefs choice menu was amazing and the matched wines were very generous! Delicious!
We went to la Luna for our anniversary and were not disappointed. Their staff provide an exceptional and personal service despite the restaurant being fully booked. The food was truly value for money and the staff make great suggestions indicating they know their market and their product exceptionally well! We will return!
Lovely food, service and atmosphere. Came here on a weekday for lunch and was surprisingly crowded. I ordered the double baked cheese souffle as a starter and the orecchiette pasta for main (too bad the gnocchi wasn't available that day).
The souffle was flavourful and the mixture of herbs within it complements the sharp cheesiness very well. The herbed crackers on the side enhanced the texture of the dish. As for the main dish, the pasta itself was a bit too gluey and unpleasant to chew but is forgiven due to the lovely sauce which was chock full of seafood, mainly prawns and calamari. Furthermore, this dish was garnished with interesting looking flowers. It was clear that quality ingredients were used.
Normally not a steak person but I tried a bite of the filet mignon my partner had and enjoyed it too. Very happy with my food choices and would come back here again, especially for the souffle and the pleasant atmosphere.
Have previously been here before a few times and also attended Feast on the Beast as part of the food festival 2 weeks back.
Nothing short of amazing is what Adrian and his team did this day.
From the pure quality prosciutto, infused salami & pigs ear schnitzel entree... Through to the suckling pig, beef rack and lamb mains... All the way to chocolate brownie and creme brule.
There were about 3-4 dishes i'm forgetting here as well.
All of it was better than perfectly cooked, melt in your mouth and perfect presentation all round.
La Luna for me - my favourite restaurant in Melb, and about time I threw up a review.
See you again next week :-)
Superb .....superb food ...superb service ...can't wait to come back again ...thanks Chloe and Lauren for great service
Grace Salemi Farchione
+4.5
It never gets old!. I have been to La Luna at least 5 times over the past couple of years. I went again tonight and couldnt think it could get any better. On every occassion, I walk in already determined to order the Pork but then get swayed into ordering something else. Which I am never dissappointed. But tonight, I finally ordered the Pork and OMG!!! IT was honestly the best Pork I have ever eaten. It was the tastiest and most tender piece of meat I have ever experienced. I think the people on the other table could hear me making weird and wonderful noises at every mouthful. The dessert tasting platter is always 100% perfect..every time... and the staff, they are the nicest and friendliest staff I have ever come accross. So, people, please go to La Luna, you will not be dissappointed. :)
Had the twice baked cheese soufflé and it was delicious. Also had the burger which was ok but the fries were a bit of a let down. Heaps of small pieces which made it difficult to dip in the sauce. Apart from that it was good
Yum food! Great personal service - will def go back. A little pricey but you walk out feeling content. Produce some of the freshest I have eaten to date - passion for a great tasting meal is exactly what you feel and get
Yummo!
We went here on Saturday for my brothers 30th. The food was absolutely amazing. The duck was the best I have had. Service was 11/10. Very reasonably priced for the quality. Will be coming back for sure!!
Meat lover. Meat loves salt and salt loves meat and i love la luna
Love, love, love. Love La Luna. Don't know what else to say....food makes me feel warm and comfortable just like home, except, you know, it's about 20 times better than even my Mum's best dish. Just perfect.
I've been coming to La Luna for ever now, never fails, great concept, food is spot on and great wines to match.
Amazing!. Any time someone asks for a great place to eat, for any occasion, this is the first place I recommend. Bloody fantastic non pretentious hearty food. Great friendly service and warm atmosphere.
While La Luna is known for their meat, and rightly so, they do have vegetarian dishes and are great with dietary requirements.
I want to marry one of the chefs so I can have this food at home.
Don't even get me started on the dessert, I recommend it all. Can't wait until I go again.
A rolling feast. Been here several times for functions upstairs and had the rolling banquet. All great food, but the entree dishes were my highlight. Go in fig season!
Took my wife and two girls (6&8 yo) here for lunch for Mothers Day. Location is beautiful. We sat upstairs looking out a window onto the treetops. From the moment we walked in the service was brilliant. Everyone greeted us with a big smile and hello, including the chef. Even on a day when they were flat out, no one seemed flustered at all. I had the pork, my wife had the gnocchi, and the girls had some great quality kids meals to choose from. The mains and sides were exceptional. The dessert took the meal to another level. The pavlova was brilliant and the tasting plate superb. Nothing hear to complain about, except now I have to find somewhere equally good for Mother's Day next year...or just go back to La Luna.
Flat Iron Steak. Really enjoyed it, you don't find a steak like this anywhere else. A nice balance between zesty and the taste of the meat. They take their food very seriously and I love how everything was house made.
Food and service was great! Ambience was perfect for anniversary dinner. Would def come back.
Love it. Went for lunch, my first time. Loved my burger! The girls are sensational, great service. We had a great afternoon.
One of my favourites. I love La Luna, one of my favourite places to eat in Melbourne. Consistent food & service. The staff are always friendly & well informed, the food is always beautiful & well prepared. I ate the hangar steak last night absolutely delicious. Love it !
Just had an amazing night ! Great food so balanced , full of full flavours and more than generous serves , true excellence in service ! Not pompous but true hospitality ! Friendly, smiles attentive, knowledgeable about there product and most of all happy to serve you !! Lots of our industry should take heed !! Will be back and will send everyone. !!'
The food was amazing and the service was impeccable. Has a great atmosphere. This is the place to go if you are a meat lover!
For special occasions. Have been twice with my partner and friends in 2012. It has been a special meal both times. For those of you who only go out to these type of restaurants for special occasions you will not be disappointed! The steak melted in our mouths both times, but leave plenty of room if you share the 900 gram T-bone, and all courses are fantastic. BYO bottle of nice wine, or choose from their extensive list. if you do BYO, don't bother with a average wine as you will not be doing the steak any justice!
If you have paid $35 for a average steak at pubs/restaurants in the past, just pay a little bit more to go here and go home satisfied!
GREAT STEAKS. Best steaks I've had in a long time.
Texan BBQ Beef rib was soft and tender and tasted great with the avocado salsa served with it.
My wife go the flat iron steak which came with wilted spinach and olive oil and onions. It was cooked med-rare, which she normally runs away from, but she loved this one!
Delicious!had the degust (share menu option) and it was amaze!i def enjoyed all the entrees more than the mains as by then I was too full to savour the flavors as much as I should have.amazing friendly staff!will definitely be back to sample other things on the menu.delish!!!!
Well, finally got to go here tonight. place is awesome,
we started with drinks, and the waitress's were fantastic easy going, wernt annoying over the top.
so we decided to order our entree which we wernt going to at first but we did. We ordered the bacon croquettes which were absoulty awesome. they actually tasted a bit like cheese and bacon balls. My husband said if he could of licked the plate clean he would of.
and then we ordered the lamb shoulder with house chips. the meat just fell of the bone. was so nice. beautiful friday night dining. but sadly adrian wasnt there. well worth going
Absolutely superb!! Food was sensational, as was the service. Could not fault them. We thoroughly enjoy La Luna every time. Highly recommend!
Blokes night out. Went there with 5 mates and had great steak and red wine. Service wasn't really on the radar on this occasion, but it was good. We all felt like we should be going back. Surprised by the odd negative review. Quality meat, done very very well. Wine list very good. Outside on a warm night is really good. Only draw back is that they close at 11pm when you are really starting to fire up!
I Love this place and I love Michael!!. What can i say! This has to be by far my absolutely favourite place to eat. From savoury to sweet everything is just right. I have eaten at La Luna many times and its where I go for my birthday every year without fail and every year it exceeds itself. The Garlic prawns with the bread = Yum! The duck. The best I've ever had! the , the creme brulee..... oh! the list could go on and on. I asked who the head chef was and they said his name is micheal. So michael to you i say THANK YOU
For me, La Luna epitomises what i love about Melbourne dining. Great service, great food, without the ridiculous prices (except for the $17.50 pb corkage). Having said that, it's not the cheapest dining option in Carlton, but well worth your hard earned...Highly recommended
Very tasty. I had the roast pork and my girlfriend had the slow cooked Moroccan chicken. We also went for a side of broccoli. Serving sizes are very decent, and I would suggest sharing 1 side between 4 if you want dessert and still want to fit into your pants at the end of the meal.
The chicken fell off the bone and tasted beautiful. The roast pork was excellent, good size and decent crackling.Cabbage accompanying it was great too. It was good to see Adrian Richardson out on the floor greeting customers and making people feel welcome.
Small niggles, our waiter was a tiny bit slow to fill wine glasses but service was still good.
All in all, I would definitely recommend La Luna Bistro.
A dinning favourite. A great restaurant that I seem to come back to year after year. Service staff are friendly, the ambience is cosy and relaxed. I can highly recommend the garlic prawns for entree and the Texan ribs for main. Delicious. The creme brûlée i had for dessert had a right amount of crack on top and silky custard below. I also had a taste of the pavlova which was a winner. I will be back.
Opulent meat feast. Absolutely divine dinner for a birthday party of 7.
Garlic and chilli prawns bathed in a pool of golden buttery goodness to start accompanied by the small meats tasting platter which was a treat for the taste buds.
Mains were varied but all top notch. I sampled the crackling wrapped roll of roast pork and the beef ribs, both were excellent. The crackling was perfect and the ribs were rich with meat that simply melted in the mouth.
The dessert tasting plates complimented a glorious evening of self indulgence.
Also got to get my photo taken with Adrian which was a bonus as it wasn't my birthday.
Could not recommend this place more.
Beautiful!. My favorite steak place! Beautiful, tasty and juicy steak. Wonderful 4 cheese souffle and a delicious bombe alaska. Have been here several times on a monthly basis since discovering it late last year and will continue returning.
Service is top notch and friendly.
Great steak. Nice bustling Restaraunt - with supurb steak
This is one of my favourite places to eat in Melbourne I always know I will have a great meal and there is always something different on offer. This is always my first option for dinner when friends come from interstate. The meat is unbelievably tender but my fav is the dessert Bomb Alaska.. Staff are always friendly.. Thanks La Luna!
Quality food and service. Very impressed and food was simple but bursting with flavor? Will definitely be back.
Drunk on Flavour!. I had a Sunday lunch with 11 people who were all highly impressed with the food. It was sensational! We had a terrific day here. I highly recommend the duck for the main, wow!
We came as a family to celebrate our daughter's 18th birthday and was greeted by the most amazing waitress. The service was outstanding and the meals were of top class!! The birthday cake was Devine and staff were kind enough to let our son play his clarinet as an item to his sister. All the staff was so gracious and just made the day special for our gal!! To the owner, sincere compliments to your staff and great service we received!! The food was so tasty and delicious!! Can understand why such high ratings for this great dining experience!! A+++++
Excellent location I really like this part of Carlton , the food is excellent, fantastic service and bought the book
Beautiful food. Went there for a anniversary, the food again was delicious, it was second time at la Luna, I had the ribeye which melted in my mouth, and my wife had the duck legs with red cabbage, which she thought it was the best duck leg she ever had. The food is always seasoned properly and full of real flavour. Service was excellent, and great value for money. Best restaurant in Melbourne!!!!
Loved every part of the dining experience at La Luna! from the starters to the dessert platter I was continually amazed by each dish! Lovely and efficient staff added to a wonderful lunch!
Classy and delicious. My bestie and I had a wonderful dinner at La Luna Bistro last night. This is the sort of bistro you dream of finding- elegant (sit upstairs), with polished service and robust, delicious food. I took so long to decide what to order because I really wanted everything (4 cheese souffle!) but decided on crepes filled with goose pate and a chicken leg filled with smoked mozarella to follow. Both dishes were spectacular but the dessert menu was the real star with tantalizing creations like bombe alaska and a strawberry and meringue icecream sandwich.
Beautiful staff! Really lovely service which made it all so comfortable! Liked it! But probably won't be returning anytime soon! Sunday night (Fathers day)! It was unique! Upstairs, dim lighting and background music, not too squashy not too empty! Definitely overpriced, but turned out to be gourmet food! Not so average menu offering Different cuts of meat than your average chicken breast! Italian based cuisine food was lovely overall and perfect dessert! Pricey menu, but managed to feed 7 people with shared bread, starters main courses and desserts + drinks all for $350! (side note! Cute plates!!!)
Second visit here last night. Had always wanted to return since our first amazing meal. This meal was no different. Absolutely exceptional.
Shared all out dishes which we selected with help from the friendly and knowledgable staff. Cocktails and wine selection is brilliant. Could not fault a thing. Staff were very attentive from start to finish.
No matter how full don't skip dessert. I recommend sharing a dessert platter. You won be disappointed.
Easily one of my favourite restaurants in Melbourne!
We LOVED everything about our experience at La Luna! From Adrian being in the kitchen where you could see him, and where you could see how he was curtious and friendly to anyone who approached him, to his gorgeous food served promptly by his friendly staff!! I had the fish of the day (snapper fillet) and it was perfection!!! Everyone on our table ordered something different and we all tasted eachothers food.. I could NOT decide which I loved more!!! I would recommend this Bistro to anyone who loves quality food, good service and great atmosphere!
Excellent service and very tasty dishes...produce is nothing extraordinary but how it is cooked and served is definitely very unique and delicious!
I'm hard to please but I liked it!. Taken to La Luna for our birthdays we were ever so pleased to be shouted out. I was a little worried about the 8.30 sitting- at my age I prefer to get in relatively early and not be pressured. having said that I'm usually away early because sitting in noisy restaurants is not my idea of a good night out. This restaurant is noisy but bearable.
We decided to go for a shared plate for starters which was enough and consisted of house made Antipasto. Excellent!!
I went for the Beef Bourguignon, it was very nice. Others went for the Duck , and a Lamb Shoulder a shared plate. All were very good as were the sweets which we all shared. We all were happy with the value although I am not a big fan of sides which cost far too much. The wine list was relatively expensive but we did find a nice Coonawarra Bowen Estate at around $58. I would recommend this place and we will go back again.
Great Experience. My husband and I had a wonderful Friday night dinner at La Luna last week. The food was great, the wait staff friendly and the whole experience is one I will definately be going back to repeat.
Meataterians delight!. I have been to La Luna on many occasions and consistently enjoyed the food and service.
This is definitely a vegetarians nightmare but beyond the steaks there is real enjoyment to be found in the bastilla entree and even the desserts!
Staff are friendly and remember your face!
I would recommend this place for a full 3 course meal, a dessert platter and a cocktail or some wine and a cheese plate!! This place caters for all.
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Had a family dinner at La Luna Bistro last night. As a big fan of Adrian Richardson i was really excited about finally getting to dine here. In terms of the food the flavours were generally good with only a few minor negatives. I had the entree special which was garlic chilli prawns. The serving was very generous and the prawns were delicious with a nice hit of garlic. The only criticism was the unnecessary accompaniment of 'char grilled' bread - burnt was probably a more apt description. For main i had the slow cooked rabbit with wild mushrooms, parsley and lemon. The flavour combination was spot on however there were so many bones that it made actually eating the dish slightly challenging. Lastly for dessert i ordered the chocolate pudding with burnt fig ice cream. A lover of chocolate this was a definite winner for me; the pudding had a lovely rich and oozing centre which was perfectly balanced by the subtle fig ice-cream. In terms of the service i was pretty impressed with all the waitresses who were all very friendly and helpful. My only real criticism would probably be the slight lack of atmosphere with the bistro seeming a bit dark and dank, especially on a cold and rainy winters night. Overall though it was a nice night and i would consider going back at some point.
Charcuterie to start with was suberb. Rump was a bit tough but that is the nature of that cut but flavour great and perfwctly cooked. Wine list a bit sparce but the chianti we choose was a great drop and one I would happily have again. Staff were attentive but not intrusive, made us felt like regulars, not the out if towers we were.
So so good. Absolutely enjoyed everything. Had the 6 course set menu highlight being the housemade cured meats and the dry aged porterhouse. Will definitely return.
Love it. I hav been to this resteraunt about half a dozen times and they nail it every single time.
My favorite on the menu is the rolled pork.
Service is always so friendly and attentive I will,continue too go here regularly.
Went there for Mothers Day dinner, and it was great! Service was excellent couldn't fault it at all and very friendly. Food was great and wasn't rushed. This was the second time we had been there and it was good to see the menu had changed. I had the slow roasted goat which was amazing superbly cooked and just melted in the mouth. Dessert was just as good, a great chocolate pudding was a delicious end to a great night!
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Nice hidden gem in Rathdowne Village - good find. Really top quality food!
Entrees were superb in general. The cheese souffle is superb and rich in flavours, but in no way does the cheese feel heavy. It probably could have done with a bit more of a burnt top as they baked but good nonetheless. Top quality home-made/grown cured meats. The meat was extremely tender and had strong pork taste to it. Absolutely must try - one of the best I've had. The pork and fennel sausage was a bit ordinary, so could give that a miss.
On to the mains. The dry-aged, home-made 500g rib eye was done very well. One of the most tender steak I've tasted in a while, and the steak literally melted away in my mouth. It also had a very strong beef flavour that would tap the delights of most meat lovers. For $58, it was an absolute bargain too. The twice-cooked duck was done extremely well. While the meat was very tender, the skin remained very crispy. The fish of the day was good, but nothing worth nothing. The pork belly was presented very well, but the skin wasn't very crispy. I thought that was the most ordinary dish of them all. The meat was also a bit dry in the middle.
Sides were fantastic. Absolutely loved the chips, which are actually potato chips (like the ones you get in super markets) but made with pure potatoes in the kitchen. Very crispy and it's good to eat chips that taste like potatoes for a change. The mushrooms were delicious and the basing was very nice. The spinach was a bit ordinary - not sure why the chef put chilli in it.
We had the tasting platter for the dessert. The sorbet was very unique - I've never had mandarin sorbet before. A little bitter but also sweet - bitter sweet indeed. The home-made icecream had very good flavours. Creme brulee was done well. The brownie was nice - nothing spectacular though. The mousse was good and not too heavy and not too thick - perfect after a heavy meal. The lemon dessert was done well - also very light too but at the same time had strong flavours that stuck around, but never felt too heavy.
Overall - would highly recommend this place. Go with the cheese souffle, the cured meats and the rib eye. I didn't try any of the other less expensive steaks and I would generally recommend people not to eat things like rump or porterhouse as that's pretty harsh meat. But if budgetary constraints were an issue, then perhaps it's worth a try.
It was also very cheap. We had 3 entrees (including the cured meats), 4 mains (including a rib eye, which was the most expensive), a tasting platter and a bottle of wine. Came to only around $350. In Melbourne top eateries, that is certainly very affordable.
In love with this place!. Omg...I'm so in love with this place now! First time here on Mother's day, service was very good and food was just superb!! For starters, double baked cheese souffle and housemade cured meats was very good. For mains, had the BEST twice cooked duck in my life (better than estivo/ italy1/ bistro vue etc), mom had the 500g aged rib eye and it was sooo good too!!! However, the roast pork was a little disappointed after reading all the good reviews, crackling was a bit soggy but the pork meat was very tasty. Fish of the day was alright.
Ordered the chips, Mushrooms and spinach for sides to share, portion was all very big and cooked beatifuily. And we had the mezzo plate(dessert platter)to share between all of us. It was fantastic!!
I would highly recommend to everyone and will difinitely come back with more friends!
Exceptional dining experience. I had dinner at the wonderful place last night with 3 other friends and I have to say, it's been one of the best meals we've ever had since we started our gastronomy journey in Sydney.
Down to earth flavours and unpretentious food. It warmed our hearts and belly on the cold night. The mains special of lamb neck was exceptional and the dessert mezze plate for 2 was perfect.
Service was also faultless! Our waitress was warm and friendly (is her name Alice?), and gave good explanation and recommendation of the dishes. The great service completed the excellent dining experience.
Needless to say, we left the place feeling extremely happy. I will highly recommend this place to anyone.
Charming bistro with some delicious steaks! The dry aged beef is worth ordering and is quickly (alas) devoured. The chili butter prawns are a decadent treat. The crackling wrapped Roast pork is a definite must try, with my only complaint being that there isn't enough crackling to sate my cravings!
Another wonderful experience at La Luna. Only slight dissapointment was the beef carpaccio was made with cured meat and not raw - still tasty but lacking slightly. The rabbit was exquisite and literally fell clean off the bone. Crackling wrapped pork was also good however you will need to order sides as main has minimal accompaniments. Highlight of the meal was the salmon croquettes. Divine crisp little golden balls filled with the most well balanced combination of salmon and cheese. The house made tartare it was served on was also fantastic. Overall a great meal made with beautiful produce
Really enjoyed La Luna, our table did not fault one thing. Lovely food , well cooked, we' ll be back.
Very hearty and satisfying meal at La Luna on Sunday night. Started with cheese souffle followed by suckling pig special and the dessert platter to share, all very yum. Service was good, not formal and restaurant full of family and friends enjoying themselves. Menu has something for everyone.
Took my staff here for Christmas lunch. Great food and terrific service. Had the twice cooked duck...great. Took my wife there for our anniversary. Great food again accompanied by attentive, friendly service.
V impressed!!!. Just had a great lunch with my mother as part of the Melbourne Food Festival express lunch deal. At $35 for two courses, a glass of wine and a coffee, you could hardly complain, but my expectations were exceeded.
Had delicious Lamb's Tongue Croquettes, followed by delicate, lemony gnocchi. Sublime. Can't wait to take my husband back!
This is just what we want from such a deal...showcase your restaurant and reap the return rewards...good way to run a business!
Outstanding experience. Great food, best tasting home made bread, and desert was amazing. Had Creme brulee and choc pudding. Definitely coming back.
Absolutely sensational. Outstanding service from the staff. Outstanding flavours from the chef. Looking forward to dining here again shortly
We will definitely be coming here again. Food was great, service was outstanding and Adrian didn't seem bothered at all by all the patrons wanting to have a chat. He even took a few minutes to talk to us about where to eat when we go on holiday later this year. Unfortunately we were swept up in the excitement of meeting him that we forgot to leave a substantial tip for the staff!! We'll be sure to remember next time we visit.
Consistently outstanding. What makes La Luna a winner is the simple formula of great food and genuinely friendly service. It has been a stalwart of the food scene of the North and it is always a pleasure to dine at La Luna.
The food outstanding and a lovely girl called Dana made our night. She loved food, she knew the menu and is a role model of what good service is all about. Foodies keep space for the dessert, a lovely tasting platter passed us by, but we couldn't fit in. There is always next week....
Will go there again.... Went to La Luna Bistro with my friend for his farewell dinner. Environment and service was good. Although they kinda screwed up our food (my steak was overcooked while my friend's steak was undercooked), but overall the steaks tasted quite good. However, they gave us a dessert sharing plate on the house as a form of compensation and the dessert tasted really good. Overall quite a good experience. Will go back there for another try.
Fantastic restaurant! I got the pork n it was so tasty, my husband had a steak he said one of the best steaks ever, we will def be back
Decent food, but wouldn't scream amazing from the roof tops! Food was good quality but not so great that I would be running back. If you eat out a lot this will be a good meal but just like the others. If your new to good cuisine you might love the flavours but may be left hungry at the end of it all.
Pork that melts in your mouth. The Crackling roll of roast pork with slow cooked beans, cabbage & fennel is to die for! One of the best pork dish I've ever tried in Melb! Very generous serving size, if you are not a big eater and would like to have entree too, it will be a good idea to share this main with someone, along with the brown mushrooms with parsley. I think I might've died and gone to heaven....
Absolutely amazing! Great knowledgeable service, meeting the man was a bonus too!
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Great food...however.... My fiancé and I went on Sunday night for our anniversary (27/11) and the food was the absolute best I have ever had in my entire life!, We had for entrée antipasto with cured meats - just sublime and for mains roast pork roll with fennel and parsley salad and herb aioli (I think) and the duck legs with red cabbage and roasted hazelnuts. Oh. My. God. Now this part may not make sense, but you know when you go to a restaurant and you get "restaurant food?" Well, THIS WAS beyond that! It really was a dining experience. The only bad thing about the whole night was we arrived for our reservations early approx 10mins early and the restaurant being virtually empty, we were seated right b y the window with no curtain and the sun was setting. The whole time I sat there with my eyes covered or hand up over my face or slumped to one side of the table. We did ask to move to an empty table which we were told no. My fiance was getting quite annoyed (and the fact I look like a red/white neenish tart the next day) that our anniversary dinner wasn't quite romantic, but oh well. When we left, we noticed that the table behind for 2 was still vacant, and was out of the sun! It just makes sense to seat later reservations by the window when the sun has at least gone behind the window and not glaring right in the face. Another issue is there is no diet drink whatsoever! I always drink water normally and don't usually drink alcohol (I was designated driver that night anyway) so it was disappointing to hear no diet drinks, but the water was free :) And at the very least the lady staff member (god knows which one) took my book so Adrian could sign it (Fiancé gave me his cookbook for anniversary present) Hopefully I'll hear from them this week to pick up. All in all, we will be returning with our usual interstate family visits and can not recommend this place enough!
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Wonderful meal, wonderful staff. Went to La Luna last nite and it was a cold and rainy nite too, so I was pleasantly surprised the moment we walked into La Luna. Whats that!!! Restaurant staff with smiles and being helpful and with no attitude!! This must be very new.
Food was exceptional. I it was my last meal ever I would have been very happy. Big impact was the staff. Being helpful, not in your face, thinking outside of the box, making us feel special and welcome. Started with the garlic king prawns. WOW! Large and succulent and the butter was so nice with the thickly sliced bread and sicilian salt.
Be both has the pork served on beans (I think Boston) and a fennel salad on top. Excellent to the last bite. Chocolate pudding with burnt fig ice cream with honeycomb very nice. The outside of the pudding was done just right. We put on our raincoats feeling wonderfully satisfied. I think the owner/chef Adrian must be an en exceptional boss who knows how to train his staff to be amazingly helpful. Many Melbourne restaurants of the same calibre could learn a thing or two about great staff, from La Luna.
Delicious but..... I went to La Luna for dinner with my partner and upon entering it looked like whoever had decorated the place had not finished. This aside, the food was exceptional. The garlic prawns and oysters were great appetisers, but there was a massive delay between these meals and our mains. Our mains come out and they were worth the wait. The pork was devine and the rib eye even better. The only thing that left me disappointed was the fact that we had been served the wrong sides, after waiting some time we were given the right sides. The leafy salad was delicious, but the mash was disappointing it was dry and cold. All in all a pleasant experience, I will be back!
The food, atmosphere and service are faultless! I have to say, it was one of the best steaks I have ever eaten, even better than steakhouses in Argentina. The green chilli paste was an amazing accompaniant. Will return very soon to sample more of the menu.
Every birthday, anniversary and date night, my partner and I go to La Luna. Reliably amazing and delicious food. Eat a steak here and you'll never go anywhere else. The best steak tartare and charcuterie plate. Even desserts are executed perfectly. This place makes special occasions really very special and memorable and never disappoints.
Steak. I only just started to eat steak rare after eating here. Amazing! It melts in your mouth. So good that it does not need any of there sauces! The fillet is one of the good steak I have ever eaten. The atmoslhere are fab too. Big portions. This is now a once a week place for me I crave it that much. Winner!
Meat meat and more meat. Bring it on !! Love every aspect of this place. Food is tip top and so is the service. Very enjoyable night. Thank you Mr richardson!
Re Raw Meat Review. I don't normally make comment on reviews or post on line reviews, I love on line reviews & food bloggers.
But I cannot let this one go...huh RAW MEAT re your review of La Luna Bistro's meat platter being a bluff. I have been in the kitchen at La Luna making salami & assisting the butcher curing the meats myself, as La Luna is one of my favourite restaurants when I am in Melbourne. Angelo the butcher kindly spent the day with myself & my son making salami from rare breed pigs (they have breed for salami season), so I find it bizarre that you would say this is a bluff. As I said I love food blogs & reviews, but it is misinformed reviewing such as this, where folks don't check facts & talk to people about the fun food things happening that make many reviews very disappointing. Thank you RAW MEAT you have inspired me to start reviewing more.
Lovely Luna. Although La Luna is a bit outside my area of residence, I would be more than happy to make the trip. I have been craving their special of Garlic Prawn entree.. Although not for the weak hearted, this is an oily dish.. But perfect in my eyes. The steaks probably are the stand out here, although usually made less cooked than ordered so we tried ordering medium rather than medium rare per usual and it was perfect. I had the gnocchi with tomatoe, olives, pine nuts and ricotta and it was amazing. At first bite a little bland, but teamed with the ricotta it gave it the perfect bite. I've also tried he fish of the day ( tasty n fresh both times) and pork belly ( tasty, but here are better options).
Do yourself a favor and don't leave without dessert! The Bombe Alaska and both puddings are sensational. I was so full from the meal but could stop eating.
Amazing. La Luna Bistro would have to be my favourite restaurant in Melbourne. Every time the food is delicious and the staff and wonderful. Cannot fault it.
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Deeelicious!. My dad and I went here for my belated birthday dinner and in one word it was delicious! Although the service started a little shakily, we were seated and seemingly forgotten about to order our wine and then our dinner, it picked up and the wait staff were friendly and informative. Even laughing at the "dad jokes" my dad was making while I cringed.
I started with the beef carpaccio and dad had the sausage, both were so tasty. For mains we couldnt pass up the pork and it didn't leave us wanting - the pork was succulent and the crackling to die for. We also had the side of potatoes that too were delicious.
We unfortunately could no fit in a dessert but decided to see if they could do an Irish coffee instead. They did, but by god it was awful, clearly not something they normally do. When it came to asking for the bill dad exclaimed it was one of the best meals he's had except for the dreadful Irish coffee and they happily took it off the bill without any issue.
All in all a great night and I will definitely be back to try the steak.
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First class. I dined at La Luna last night and it was a wonderful culinary experience. From the moment we walked in the staff were so attentive and were very helpful with selections throughout. First of all, I have dined at the best steak houses in Melbourne, including some more off the radar locations, but this was the best cut of porterhouse I have ever had, cooked to a perfect rare. The jus and mild seasoning was perfect. We had the sides of the seasoned mushrooms and potatoes and they too were perfection. My only complaint would be that the steaks come with a small mound of a thick chutney style seasoning, which tasted strongly of capsicum. I didn't like this but simply took it off and there wasn't really any flavour left from it. For dessert we had the serving plate...YOU MUST GET THIS. Absolutely amazing, enough for two or three people. It was served with a three layer choc mousse (dark, dairy and white), chocolate brownie, pear sorbet, lemon merringue pie, creme brulee and home made icecreams of pistacio and rum and raison. Absolute perfection...as full as we were, we stuffed most of it in. After the two steak mains, two sides, the dessert sharing plate and a champagne and two beers it came to $165 which I thought was very reasonable for the amazing quality, teamed with top service. Highly, reccommend, especially for steak and dessert lovers!!
One of Melbournes top restaurants. Specialty is pork and beef - both meats cured on site. Never had a bad dish here after 20+ meals over 5 years. Not cheap. Wine list decent. BYO possible with $12-$15 corkage. Recommend this place.
Wonderful. Just enjoyed a great Saturday lunch. Food was excellent, the pork specialties are worth the visit and the steak and duck superb - topped off by delicious deserts. A big plus also to the very attentive and efficient staff.
Wonderful,Amazing,Could not fault one thing!. My boyfriend and I dined here on Friday night we are massive fans of Adrians and we had high expectations and we were NOT dissapointed!
The staff were super attentive and were able to answer any questions we had, we even requested to meet adrian and the head waited allowed us to go in the kitchen and meet and chat with him, we were stoked!
The food was flawless,
We had the cheese souffle as an entree to share, it was to die for! So creamy!
I ordered the roast pork and my boyfriend had the sirloin mignon.
The crackling on the pork amazing! and the pork was so juicy, unlike any other pork i have ever eaten!
The steak was cooked to perfection, juicy and tender!
Dessert i had the chocolate pudding, which should be made illegal its too good. This inside oozed of creamy chocolate which was devine! The fig icecream was a nice compliment.
My boyfriend had the creme brulee, which also was a winner.
Absolutely worth every penny, its a must!
Super lunch spot. My favorite restaurant for a lazy lunch away from the cbd lunchtime hysteria. A wonderful menu, excellent wine list and professional friendly service.Highly recommended.
Great steak......but. I really do like La Luna, this was maybe my 6th visit service always good. My disappointment this time was that my porterhouse, though delicious and perfectly cooked, missed one thing I really look forward to on a porterhouse.... The layer of fat..... I understand why it is not there but for those of us that like this small treat, and there were 2 of us, it just takes the edge off a trerrific steak. The only minor other gripe is that at $42,50 s steak maybe the corkage could not be such a slug. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed my meal and will be back...
Steak it up. My third visit and we love the place.
Adrian is a genuine nice bloke and I love what he is about.
The lamb pie entree is sensational. Beautiful flavours that I would love to create at home.
I had the rib eye which is a massive feed of meat. Good to perfection with lovely charred flavour.
We shared the (pretty sure this is accurate) portugeese pudding which is delicious particularly the home made vanilla ice cream. Have hed the Bombalaska on another occasion ans its incredible.
Proffesional atentive staff without the wank factor. (Linda who seems to run the show is an absolute sweetheart)
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Go get your meat fix. This is a gem. There is nothing more impressive than walking into a restaurant and seeing the owner/chef on site, let alone having him serve one's entree! The tables are spaced far apart enough so one has difficulty eavesdropping on the next table, but close enough to have a sticky beak at the other meals before commiting to one's order. The staff are friendly, informative and have a sense of humour and were unflustered despite it being a busy night. Now to the food. This is not a place for vegetarians but not for carnivores alone either . There is a large picture of a cow and the regions where cuts of meat are derived, so you are prewarned on arrival that the chef is keen on meat. We tried two entrees. The torchietti with anchovies had a hint of chill, and subtle anchovie flavour which was perfectly balanced. The gnocchi melted in one's mouth had a lovely proscuitto and pea sauce. Now to the meat. I had a large char grilled rump steak which was juicy, tender and flavoursome.There was a pepperonata spread across the top of the meat and a quenelle of creamy mash potato. My husband had a beef and cheese pie which I eyed but he devoured with no time for me to sample any -clearly it hit the spot! The side of potatoes had a good level of salt and oil to create the perfect accompaniment to our meals. Alas there was no room for dessert. And they are purists about coffee, so there is no decaf in sight! Oh, and as to wine - there is a great selection to match your meal and our waitress was incredibly helpful at suggesting a suitable drop.
Excellent steak! Between our group we tried the rib eye, the porterhouse and the fillet steak and all were cooked to perfection. If you are a fan of good quality aged beef cooked on a char grill then this is the place for you. Highly recommended!
Didnt quite hit the mark, but will be back to try again. Having been recommended many times, i decided it was time to try La Luna.
I went with 3 other people and we decided on the degustation, in hindsight, it may have been better to choose seperate meals.
It was a creative selection of meats however, it just didnt quite seem to impress.
For the price, i would have expected a little more but it does demonstrate a range of quality food.
I will be back to try some main meals andmost cannot fault the service at all.
All i can say is amazing. It has been a long time between GOOD steaks, and la luna deliverd, a perfectly "cooked" blue steak, with meat that melted in my mouth, a little bit pricey but worth every dollar, highly recomended.
Vegan? Vegetarian? Forget about it.. One of my favourites. Been twice: once for the degustation, once for lunch. Was impressed both times. I'd say 90% of the food during the degustation was nice to varying degrees. The cheese souffle really didn't do it for me (although my partner liked it--for me it evoked bad cheese and egg and bacon pie flashbacks) but the steak, cured meats and off-the-menu special--braised horse shanks--were lovely. The house-made sausages were good but ... you know, they were good sausages. The degustation is great value. You'll come out full and drunk and happy. Service is warm and friendly. A happy place for meat lovers.
Best bolognese ever!. Most delicious gnocchi bolognese ever, just looking for an excuse to go back!
Met for a meeting here as the Rathdowne Food Store was closed on mid week nights. My colleague ordered rump steak on a bed of mash. She commented it was delicious. Certainly looked ample. Me? I ordered a chunky lamb soup entree and sides of beetroot; spinach; and kipfler potatoes. Tasty too albeit the veges were drizzled wiith olive oil. And frankly more than enough to eat. I was amazed the other side of the menu offered 1 kg steaks to share etc. Meat lovers' bistro. I liked the attentive staff and that there was atmosphere but not too much noise. Allowed us to converse and hear each other. Funky loos too. For desert we shared a small brownie which was cut in to 4 triangles and nicely presented as a pseudo petit four. $114 for 2 a tad exy for what we ordered. Enjoyable experience.
A bit disapointing. Service was great. Location excellent. Should have been a great lunch for the 5 boys. But on a quiet Thursday afternoon, the 1.4kg rib was overcooked vs the medium rare we requested. And the fillet equally overdone. The pork was excellent as were the boar sausages. But- hard to miss out on the rib. Will likely try again as the beef quality was excellent.
Been here twice in the last week, both times were fantastic. Consistant service, everything on the menu is spot on, can't go past a great steak cooked to perfection. Minimal beers available is the only let down. Prob my favourite resturant x
Great food and consistency. Go for the degustation.
Visited for the first time the other day. Very impressed. Service was solid and the meals were delicious. Courses were well spaced out as well. 8/10 from me
Another delicious meal. Dropped by for the chargrilled steak, medium rare. The texture was terrific (it was a filet mignon...) Next time I'll get the book I think. Friendly staff and left with some pork sausages ($29 per kilo). Thanks again!!
I love this place. Each time I go I think to my self there is not a lot on the menu that I'd actually eat. After I have eaten I want to book again. I love their food, it's amazing. You must try this restaurant. It's amazing. I wish I lived across the road. The food, wine , service and atmosphere is just perfect. Did I mention how much i love this place?
Delightful. Go for breakfast! I couldn't get a table at Black Ruby one day and we ended up going here for breakfast. I would highly recommend it. may be a few $ more than your average cafe breakfast but the quality of the food is definitely worth it. Best smoked salmon I have ever had.
If you're after a steak I would head here before going to places like Rockpool etc. The steak (& everything else) is just as good, the service will be better and you will come out of there with more $ left in your pocket. A win-win situation.
Great steaks!! And the mezze dessert is wonderful as well. Fantastic service and a good vin list tops it off. Love it!
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Suckling pig.... I've only done breakfast here, but it was sensational. It's quite a fancy restaurant, but don't be scared off coming here for your late morning saturday egg fix - the breakfast was really only a couple of dollars more than you'd spend at a cafe (and it's great value, the breakfast was huge!) Everything was cooked to perfection: runny egg yolks, house-made sausage, smoky bacon, perfect hollandaise, mouth-watering mushrooms...
They age all of their meat on the premises, and when I was there they had whole suckling pig on the menu (I think it was a special even thing which you had to have a certain number of people for, but it definitely piqued my interest!)
Oddly, the service wasn't very good when we went. Considering we were one of two tables and there were about 4-5 wait-staff on, we were pretty much ignored and it took me almost ten minutes of serious attempts at eye-catching to get the bill. I did get the impression that they were trying to set up for a large amount of lunch bookings, so it may have just been a bad time.
Chef Adrian Richardson is author of an excellent reference/cookbook appropriately called 'Meat'.
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